SIALKOT: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Zone-II has confiscated Indian origin red chili and cumin seeds worth Rs 150,000 during a raid.
Reportedly, ASO Zone-II incharge Deputy Collector Waheed Anwar Abro deputed Inspector Muhammad Amjad to check vehicles as well as public transport to foil smuggling attempts made in guise of Kashmir Transit Trade.
The inspector along with his team started checking of vehicles on Grand Trunk (GT) Toad. During the checking, the team intercepted a van bearing Registration No MR-AJK-032-02 and searched the van.
The checking led to the recovery of four bags filled with Indian red chili and some bags of cumin seeds. The team asked driver named Muhammad Liaqat about booking documents of Indian origin red chili and cumin seeds but he could not produce the same.
The team confiscated the red chili and cumin whereas registered a case against Van Stand Manager Sikandar. The customs released the driver and van after proper interrogation.
Deputy Collector Waheed Abro said that the smuggling is reaching on decline in the Gujranwala region and smugglers will leave to use this way for smuggling soon.
Inspector Amjad told Customs Today that all ASO zones were performing duty to curb smuggling under the directions of Sialkot Customs Collector Ahmed Reza Khan. He said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has strictly ordered the anti-smuggling teams to curb smuggling foreign origin goods.
He added that the customs staff was taking stern actions against the smugglers in the region, especially on roads eliminate the flow of smuggled items.
