KARACHI: Regional Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation impounded a TCS delivery vehicle loaded with smuggled mobile phones.
Sources said that this incident follows a series of similar cases involving TCS vehicles, aircraft, and employees with high-value smuggled goods.
Sources further said that credible information was received by Director Mian Masood that certain individuals would attempt to transport foreign-origin, non-duty-paid mobile phones through a Shehzore Pickup belonging to TCS in Karachi, destined for various parts of the country.
Deputy Director Adarsh Jawahir constituted an anti-smuggling squad led by Superintendents Abid Hussain and Zia Moen. Their efforts led to the interception of the suspect TCS vehicle in Karachi. A thorough examination of the vehicle and its cargo resulted in the recovery of a significant quantity of foreign-origin iPhones, iPads, adapters, and other high-value mobile phones. The TCS employee in the vehicle, Khurram, could not provide any legal documentation to prove lawful possession of the goods, leading to the lodging of a report.
This incident is not isolated. In October 2022, Customs Intelligence & Investigation Karachi issued a notice under Section 171 of the Customs Act 1969 to TCS Express & Logistics Private Limited.
The notice highlighted the transportation of smuggled mobile phones, tablets, USBs, and watches in TCS delivery vehicles. Subsequently, I&I Karachi seized a large quantity of smuggled iPhones, smartphones, tablets, USBs, memory cards, and wristwatches from TCS delivery vehicles. An FIR is expected to be registered against TCS Express & Logistics Private Limited on Monday.
Earlier, in October 2021, Customs I&I Karachi had recovered huge quantity of mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches from TCS vehicles. This issue dates back even further; in 1996, Customs intercepted a chartered aircraft used by TCS for smuggling and delivering liquor across the country.
