ISLAMABAD: The staff of the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) deployed at Benazir Bhutto International Airport seized smuggled gold and currency worth Rs 27.5 million during the first half of financial year 2016-17. The ASO arrested four suspects during the period and registered cases against them.
According to details, the ASO took various measures to check and prevent smuggling of currency and gold through Islamabad airport to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, China and Bangkok. Four inspectors and two deputy collectors were deployed at the airport all the time to perform this exclusive task.
Sources told Customs Today that the ASO staff foiled an attempt to smuggle gold besides foiling three money laundering attempts during the first half of FY2016-17. Sources added that during December 2016 the ASO staff seized gold worth Rs 3.1 million and arrested one accused.
The sources said that the ASO seized currency worth Rs 10.42 million during August of FY2016-17 and arrested two suspects, adding that during month of July FY2016-17 the ASO staff seized smuggled currency worth Rs 10.18 million and arrested one accused at the airport. During the month of December FY2016-17, the ASO staff seized foreign currency worth Rs 3.8 million and arrested one suspect. The ASO staff registered money laundering cases against them and forwarded the same to the Adjudication for further proceeding.
