HYDERABAD: In an aggressive effort to curb smuggling and promote legitimate trade, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement in Hyderabad has accelerated its anti-smuggling operations.
The department, under the guidance of Chief Collector Customs Enforcement Islamabad Basit Abbasi, has focused on disrupting illegal trade activities, particularly those involving non-duty paid and counterfeit goods that pose significant threats to both the national exchequer and legitimate businesses.
As part of its ongoing crackdown, the Hyderabad Customs Enforcement conducted a successful Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO), which led to simultaneous raids on two key locations in Sukkur.
These operations targeted an illegal godown in Golimar Area and a cigarette manufacturing factory in Rohri. The efforts resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of smuggled goods, including counterfeit cigarettes; non-duty paid raw materials for cigarette production, and machinery used in the manufacturing process. The total value of the seized goods has been estimated at Rs. 364 million (Rs. 36.4 crore).
The recovered goods include a significant quantity of counterfeit cigarettes, comprising 52,250 reams or 13,062,500 sticks from brands such as Olympic, Honda, and Hiway, with an estimated value of Rs240 million.
Additionally, 21,701 kilograms of non-duty paid cigarette paper and ancillary raw materials were seized, valued at Rs54 million.
Furthermore, 31 units of non-duty paid machinery were recovered, contributing to an estimated value of Rs70 million. These seizures highlight a major effort to curb smuggling and tax evasion in the region.
The total value of the seized goods amounts to Rs364 million, highlighting the scale of illicit activities targeted in this operation.
Following the raids, the Customs Department has registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated further investigations to apprehend the culprits involved. This operation marks a significant step towards curbing illegal businesses that undermine the legitimate economy and threatens the public’s health and safety.
The Customs Enforcement team, under the direct supervision of the Additional Collector Shah Faisal Sahu led by Assistant Collector of Customs, Sukkur, a remains committed to tackling smuggling networks and is determined to ensure that smuggled goods do not disrupt the legal markets. The success of this operation underscores the growing effectiveness of intelligence-based strategies in combating the illicit trade in the country.
As investigations continue, authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the national economy and supporting lawful business practices across the region.
