KARACHI: The Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) of the Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad has impounded four smuggled vehicles worth millions of rupees in its crackdown on smuggled vehicles. The first information report (FIR) has been lodged against unidentified persons in this regard.
According to details, Inspector Syed Momin Hussain and Khair Muhammad of ASO had prior information that smuggled vehicles were present at different locations in Hyderabad. Responding to this information, the ASO team conducted raids at Panhwar Goth, Qasimabad and Defence Plaza from where these vehicles were recovered.
It is pertinent to mention that two of the vehicles – Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rs 1.5 million (excluding taxes and duties) and Toyota Hilux Surf worth Rs 0.8 million (excluding taxes and duties) bearing registration numbers LOZ-4523 and CP-1526, respectively – were found at a workshop garage in Qasimabad.
One Toyota Prado worth Rs 1 million (excluding taxes and duties) was without any registration number and was found parked at Defence Plaza.
Moreover, Toyota Hilux Surf bearing registration No BD-6339 worth Rs 1 million (excluding taxes and duties), was found parked near Nasim Nagar Chowk, Qasimabad.
During the physical examination of all the impounded vehicles, the ASO team did not find any relevant documents, nor was the owners’ identity ascertained.
The ASO team also inquired from the mechanic regarding the possession of the vehicle, but the mechanic replied that the driver or possession holder of the vehicles had dropped the car for repair and maintenance after which he did not come back.
Furthermore, after waiting for half an hour and completion of all the formalities, the ASO staff impounded the vehicles and brought them to the Customs House, Hyderabad. It is worth mentioning here that even after the maturity of the detention period, neither the owner of the vehicles came forward to claim the ownership of the seized vehicles nor the import documents were received.
The impounded vehicles are said to be smuggled and brought into the country through illegitimate channels sans payment of duty and taxes. The vehicles have been deposited at the State Warehouse, MCC Hyderabad. Further investigations are on to arrest the accused persons.
