HYDERABAD: Under the supervision of Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Dr. Sadiqullah Khan, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) team foiled an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of foreign origin fabric from Quetta. The market value of seized fabric is approximately Rs30 million and that vehicle is Rs5.5 million.
According to the details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Director Sadiqullah Khan received credible information that a consignment of foreign origin fabric is being smuggled from Quetta to upcountry loaded on a trailer bearing registration no: JU-7706 mounted with 40 feet container.
Accordingly, the information was passed on to the team of ASO Sukkur who with the assistance of 51 Wing of Shahbaz Rangers, Kashmore intercepted the subject trailer at Dera More, Kashmore.
Preliminary examination of the container was conducted on the spot and found fully loaded with assorted foreign origin fabric in bales. On demand the driver of the vehicle produced a transportation bilty and import documents.
Meanwhile, Director Sadiqullah Khan instructed Additional Director Jamshed Ali Talpur to depute a team of ASO Sukkur to take over the vehicle alongwith recovered fabric from Rangers Check post. Accordingly, the ASO staff Sukkur headed by Deputy Director Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi took over the possession of the container and documents along with driver on 27.3.2021. The same was shifted to the premises of the Directorate, Range Office, Sukkur and detained for further legal proceedings. Thorough examination was carried out in the presence of Additional Director I&I Hyderabad and Deputy Director Sukkur which resulted into recovery of 17,480 kilograms of foreign origin fabric.
The representative samples of fabric were drawn for confirmation of its actual description and was forwarded to customs lab, Karachi. As per lab report, the description of the recovered goods is different from the goods mentioned in the produced GD. The description of recovered goods is as follows:
- Unbleached chiffon fabric 9300 kilograms
- Polyester ladies suiting fabric 5000 kilograms
- Printed woven lining material 2350 kilograms
- Furnishing fabric for sofa, curtain 720 kilograms
Since the actual description does not match with the produced GD, it is confirmed that the goods are smuggled one and brought into the country through unauthorized routes and GD was presented to hoodwink the customs authorities.
Accordingly, FIR has been lodged and the driver of the trailer has been arrested. Further investigations are still in progress.
