LAHORE: The Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) impounded 32 cartons of foreign origin smuggled cigarettes, sources told Customs Today.
The sources said that acting upon information the customs ASO raided and seized 32 cartons of foreign origin smuggled cigarettes on Wednesday. It was informed that the estimated value of the seized cigarettes is about Rs1 million.
The sources said that the operation was conducted on the information of Assistant Collector Asim Awan and under the supervision of customs superintendent and his subordinate including Ejaz Rasool Shah and others. The sources said that the customs authorities after registering a case have started further investigations.
The customs authorities have constituted a special anti-smuggling teams in order to arrest the issue of smuggled cigarettes around the city which has been inflicting heavy loss to the businessmen legally involved in the business of tobacco. Sources said that FBR directed customs authorities to adopt zero tolerance policy towards smugglers.
Many of the internationally recognized brands are being attempted in the local market against the laws of the country. Sources said that ASO adopted comprehensive measures to curb smuggling attempts in the region.
