ISLAMABAD: The Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad has shown outstanding performance during October 2016-17 and recovered a huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled goods, specially fabrics, fake cigarettes and vehicles worth Rs 60 million.
In an exclusive interview with Customs Today Deputy, Collector Shahid Jan said that ASO Islamabad’s team comprising Superintendent Zargam Dil, Deputy Superintendent Rana Shakeel, Inspector Asif and other supporting staff foiled many attempts of smuggling in the region during the month of October 2016-17.
He added that during the month of October 16-17 ASO impounded nine vehicles which were being used for smuggling purpose, the ASO impounded these vehicles in different operations under jurisdiction of Customs Islamabad. He said that offending vehicles comprises Toyota Hiace, Corolla, Hino truck, Bedford truck and Mazda truck, the market value of offending vehicles is Rs13,60,0000.
He said that that car cell of Preventive impound eight non duty paid vehicles during the month of October 2016-17. The vehicles include Corolla, Prado, Mercedes, Hilux Surf and Toyota Hiace etc. The total value of non-duty paid vehicles is Rs 26.8 million.
Shahid Jan added that the ASO also seized 10,641 yards foreign origin fabric worth Rs 7.4 million, 24,221 kilograms food grains in quantity worth Rs 2.3 million, 216 kilograms black tea worth Rs 60,060, at least 150 tyres and tubes worth Rs 305,099, around 3,150 auto spare parts worth Rs 106,0021, at least 4,899 packets of imported cigarettes (fake brands) worth Rs 3.2 million, 135 electronic goods worth Rs 2,307,165, at least 41,400 pirated CDs/DVDs worth Rs 825,930, miscellaneous medicines worth Rs 140,385 and various type of goods worth Rs 2.4 million.
He said that FBR strictly directed Customs Headquarters to adopt zero tolerance policy against owners of offending vehicles and non duty paid vehicles.
Deputy Collector Shahid Jan said that ASO seized miscellaneous goods under value of Rs.10297355 during first four months of financial year 2016-17, he added that ASO Islamabad is working on high moral ground because the Customs Collectorate exceed its assigned revenue collection target of first quarter of FY16-17.
He added that ASO under supervision of Collector Dr. Arslan and Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira Habib using modern vehicles and other facilities like laptops and etc, adding that during the first quarter of financial year 2016-17 the ASO perform actively against tax evaders and smugglers.
Deputy Collector Shahid Jan said that most of the goods which were seized during first four months of Fiscal Year 2016-17 included cloth, food grains, black tea, tyres/tubes, auto parts, mobil oil, cigarettes, electronic goods, blankets, and miscellaneous goods, and also impounded 41 offending vehicles.
He added that during month of July FY 16-17 the ASO seized smuggled goods amounting to Rs.23.930 million as for as during month of August value of seized items was Rs.31.338 million and during month of September FY16-17 ASO seized smuggled goods under value of Rs.50.962 million.
Deputy Collector Shahid Jan said that ASO team seized all goods and vehicles after thoroughly checking and verification of documents, he stressed that most of owners of offending as for as NDP vehicles failed to provide any proof of possession and transportation of these goods, after there failure ASO staff seized these vehicles as for as goods.
He said that Customs Colletorate have exceeded its revenue collection target for month of October 2016-17.
