LAHORE: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has seized Indian origin smuggled cumin seeds (zeera), lubricant oil and other imported items worth millions of rupees during two different raids.
As per details, the ASO on information intercepted a truck bearing Registration No XA-528 when it was heading toward Akbari Mandi from Kashmir. The officials recovered 5000 kilogrammes of cumin seeds from the truck.
During another raid, the officials intercepted a truck bearing Registration No TKC-907, which was coming from Quetta and heading towards Misri Shah Market carrying drums of lubricant oil..
The customs authorities impounded the two trucks along with recovered items after the drivers failed to show documents regarding legal import of the goods and registered cases against the accused persons under Customs Act, 1969.
The two operations were conducted by the ASO team led by Assitant Collector Asim Awan under the supervision of Superintendent Waqar Cheema, while other staff, including Inspector Ijaz Butt and others also participated in the operation.
Officials told Customs Today that the operations were conducted on the instructions of Customs Preventive Collector Zulfiqar Younas.
It was said that the crackdowns were undertaken as the part of the on-going campaign against the smugglers initiated by the collectorate. The operations are being monitored by the collector personally.
It was also said that the collector believed in capacity building of the field forces so that they can better cope with the criminal elements in case of any backlash.
