FAISALABADI: The Field Investigation Unit (FIU) Khushab of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad confiscated foreign origin (F/O) Iranian dates worth Rs09.1million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs990000 besides impounding a trailer valued Rs02.3million being used for transportation of smuggled dates.
Superintendent Muhammad Tahir received a tip-off about some smuggling attempts. He immediately constituted a customs team comprising Intelligence Officers Muhammad Saleem and Ansar Saleemi.
The team intercepted a trailer with registration No: TLZ-385 near Mianwali Toll Plaza. During the checking, the customs team recovered F/O Iranian dates weighed 31,090 kg, Muzafati brand including 10-kg of 1129-Ctn, 7-kg of 1400-Ctn and 5-kg of 2000-Ctn.
The team asked the driver, Muhammad Ishaq son of Muhammad Nazir, to show the documents regarding its legal import but he failed to do the same. The customs officials confiscated the goods under the Import and Export Control Act-1950 punishable under Section 156(1) 89 and 178 of the Customs Act-1969.
A few days later, owner Namely Asif Ali son of Sardar Ali, a resident of Rasheed Colony Sargodha, appeared in the office and submitted an affidavit on the stamp paper claiming therein the ownership of the impounded goods and showing his willingness to pay the duty taxes.
The Khushab Intelligence Authority has forwarded the seizure report to the customs adjudication for further legal action.
