ISLAMABAD: Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) on Monday intercepted a truck carrying Indian-origin hundreds of kilograms of smuggled tamarind (imli) which was being smuggled from Kashmir to Rawalpindi.
The worth of seized tamarind along with offending vehicle estimated at Rs3 million while a person was also arrested.
Sources of Anti-Smuggling Organization told Customs Today that Collector Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary, after receiving information of smuggling attempt, directed ASO staff to enhance vigilance. The ASO team made picket on Kohala Road. The ASO team intercepted a vehicle bearing registration no: LR-3765 and recovered 6900 kilogram Indian-origin fresh tamarind.
Sources said that after seizing 200 sacks of tamarind, the ASO staff asked the possessor/driver to provide the GDs or any other document which can establish that seized goods are not smuggled but the possessor failed to provide any proof against the seized tamarind. After that the ASO seized the smuggled tamarind and brought it to State Warehouse for further action.
Sources said that an FIR has been chronicle against the smuggler of tamarind and owner of the offending vehicle while one person has been arrested under Customs Act 1969. The case has been forwarded for further action to Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department.
Sources added that Collector made an appreciation call to ASO staff, including Additional Collector Ashfaq Khan, Deputy Collector Sadia Usman Khattak, Abid Malik, Farrukh Satti, along with other staff of ASO.
