GWADAR: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) team has seized huge quantity of smuggled betel nut, Indian Gutkha and other goods from two containers on RCD Highway. The value of smuggled goods in international market is Rs156 million.
Sources told that information was passed through Director Intelligence and Investigation Tahir Qureshi to Additional Director Moin Afzal that attempt would be made to smuggle betel nuts under the guise of imported goods.
On the instructions of Deputy Director Majid Gaad, Senior Intelligence officer Mohammad Sadiq enhanced surveillance at RCD Highway to materialize the information.
Subsequently, two suspected trailers mounted with 40ft containers were intercepted and stopped. However, the drivers of the vehicles escaped taking advantage of the darkness.
The ASO team took into custody of the vehicles and escorted the same to the office for further legal proceedings. Examination of the vehicles led to recovery of large quantity of betel nut, Indian Gutkha and Mulathi. The investigation regarding culprits involved in smuggling of F/o betel nuts was initiated forthwith.
With a view to fully unearth the phenomenon, efforts were made to trace three more vehicles mentioned in the Goods Declaration. One vehicle, it was learned, had reached Maripur Godown. The Customs I&I team of the Directorate reached the Godown and inquired about the loaded goods in the subject vehicle. It was confirmed that the vehicle only had imported Mulathi in it. The role of Customs officials will be determined during the course of investigation.
In view of the above, it is clear that the foreign origin betel nuts and Indian Gutkha are smuggled and brought into the country through unauthorized routes without payment of legitimate duty and taxes leviable thereon.
Further investigations are underway till filing of this report.
