ISLAMABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) seized foreign origin smuggled goods along with vehicle, which was being used for smuggling, worth Rs 2.818 million.
In pursuance of information received through Islamabad Customs Collector Arslan Subuctageen, the ASO established a picket on GT Road near Burhan interchange and intercepted a passenger bus bearing Registration No Z-2410 coming from Peshawar.
During the search, the officials found different type of items, including 499 kilogramme (kg) of furnished fabric worth Rs 292,236, 110kg velvet cloth valued at Rs 43,313, 381kg ladies suiting polyester worth Rs 149,622 and 285kg gents suiting polyester worth Rs 148,925.
The driver of the vehicle was asked about import documents of the said items but he failed to provide any proof that goods are customs duty cleared. Therefore, the officials impounded the bus worth Rs 2 million and recovered goods worth Rs 818,017 under the customs law.
FIR has been registered against smugglers, while the case has been forwarded to Customs Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department for further action. The ASO team comprising Deputy Superintend Rana Shakeel, Inspector Asif and others participated in the raid.
Officials informed Customs Today that Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad’s ASO during current financial year 2016-17 was showing satisfactory performance, as it impounded above hundred vehicles and smuggled goods, besides arresting dozens of alleged smugglers. They said that smugglers will not be allowed to damage national economy, adding that all possible measures will be taken to curb smuggling.
