HYDERABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Hyderabad, Customs Preventive Sukkur Division, took into possession non-duty-paid smuggling cigarettes, auto-parts, vehicle frames, tyres, blankets and Gutka of India made valued at Rs2.5million including duties and taxes during an action by Customs Railway Squad of Shikarpur-Sukkur in the month of 2017-18.
Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad Akhlaq Ahmed Khattaq directed his staff to arrest the smuggling in the region. The customs authorities received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of said items.
The authorities formed a team, comprising of ASO Customs Preventive Sukkur In-Charge, Customs Check-Post and Inspectors, Sepoys and a Driver, which participated in the execution of the operation.
The ASO team intercepted a transport vehicle near Customs Railway Squad Shikarpur-Sukkur and recovered the abovementioned contraband items. Prior to the recovery of goods, the officials asked the driver for producing documents regarding the legal import of the items but he could not prove anything lawful. So the team took the goods into possession under the customs bylaws.
A case was registered against the accused and sent to the customs adjudication for further legal action. The ASO deposited the confiscated goods into Sukkur-Larkana division State Warehouse.
Officials said that Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq had directed that effective steps be taken for preventing the smuggling in the region. They added that the anti-smuggling officials have enhanced the vigilance on roads to keep an eye on the movement of the contraband items and the NDP vehicles.
