GWADAR: Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation (I&I) Gwadar under the leadership of Additional Director Moeen Afzal Ali launched massive anti-smuggling drive acting on the instructions of Director General Customs I&I Faiz Ahmad. The Directorate posts anti-smuggling figures to Rs725.8 million during four months of F.Y 2024. The highlights of anti-smuggling activities are given below:
1. Two tankers, loaded with HSD oil /diesel were intercepted as part of information based activity. The foreign origin Diesel was smuggled in the garb of fake invoices which were got verified by the Directorate and termed as fake. The seizure involved 76,000 liters of smuggled HSD Oil / Diesel valuing Rs26.40 million along with two offending vehicles valuing Rs. 15 million. The total value of seizure comes to Rs41.40 million.
2. Acting on the credible information provided by an intelligence outfit, the Directorate coordinated district Police Hub which provided prompt support. A premises was raided in Emarat City Scheme in district Hub resulting in recovery huge quantities of contraband goods. The seizures includes 4,251,500 sachets of Indian origin Gutkha ( Z-21, Sana safina, Pan Parag) valuing Rs127.54 million, 12.74 MT of betel nuts valuing Rs38.22 million and 120,000 sticks of cigarettes (Pine, Milano and Mond) valuing Rs. 3.6 Million. The total value of seizure comes to Rs169.36 million.
3. During joint night checking / surveillance along with Frontier Corps the Directorate seized 280 bags of gutka / pan parag (14,00,000 pouches) valuing Rs. 42 million and 185 bags of weighing 2,2 MT of betel nuts valuing Rs6.6 million. The total value of seizure comes to Rs48.6 million.
The overall performance of the Directorate of I &I-Customs, Gwadar including other operations conducted from July to October, 2023 comes to Rs. 721.8 million as against Rs. 202.7 million in the previous corresponding period. The Directorate aims at expanding its anti-smuggling activities further.
Earlier, on 02.11.2023, acting on the credible information received by Additional Director Moeen Afzal, Customs I&I, Gwadar in coordination with Police and Frontier Corps conducted the operation. A premises was raided in Jam Colony in district Hub resulting in recovery huge quantities of contraband goods. Stiff resistance was offered from the locals that includes pelting and roadblock. Thereafter district Police and Frontier Corps helped in clearing the road. 9 Mazda trucks loaded with betel nuts, Gutkha and cigarettes were recovered.
The seizure includes 30.80 MT of betel nuts valuing Rs107.94 million, 630,000 sachets of Indian origin Gutkha (Safina, Adab etc) valuing Rs20.79 million and 840,000 sticks of cigarettes (L&M, Pine, Milano etc) valuing Rs2.52 million.
The overall value of seizure comes to Rs. 131.25 million.
Sources told that Customs I&I team has registered a case of smuggling against the accused persons and started investigations.
