ISLAMABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) seized smuggled cigarette and foreign origin chocolates worth Rs 440,580.
According to details, the ASO during the routine checking on GT Road near Mandhra intercepted a bus coming from Peshawar to Rawalpindi and recovered 1049 cartons of fake imported cigarettes valued at Rs 340,580. The officials also recovered 240 kilogramme of imported chocolates worth Rs 100,000.
A passenger of the bus who owned the items was asked to show documents regarding legal import and lawful possession of the items, but he could not produce the same; therefore, the officials confiscated the item under the customs laws and arrested the accused passenger.
FIR has been registered under customs law against the smuggler and case has been forwarded to Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department for further investigation.
The anti-smuggling staff, including Superintendent Zargham Dil, Deputy Superintendent Rana Shakeel, Inspector Asif and others participated in the raid.
Officials said that following the guidance of Collector Dr Arslan and Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira, the Customs Preventive department was doing very well and making seizures on a daily basis. They added that customs department was using all resources and comprehensive strategy to decrease smuggling, which is causing loss to national kitty.
