ISLAMABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has seized different kinds of smuggled goods and a Bedford truck being used for transportation of the items worth Rs 840,000.
Deputy Collector Shahid Jan said that an ASO team was on its routine patrolling on GT Road near Hasanabad when the squad stopped a Bedford truck bearing Registration No K-1679.
The team led by Deputy Superintendent Rana Shakeel searched the truck, which led to the recovery of 100 pieces of China origin tie rods worth Rs 210,000, 75 pieces of foreign origin porcelain dinner set worth Rs 77,175 and 53 pieces of foreign origin submersible pump worth Rs 53,000.
The anti-smuggling squad asked driver to provide documents regarding the legal import and lawful possession of the items, and the truck. The driver could not provide any documents to the customs staff on which items and truck were impounded under the Customs Act, 1969. The value of truck has been estimated at Rs 500,000. FIR has been lodged against the accused persons and further investigation is underway.
The deputy collector said that anti-smuggling activity was still going on and it will be expedited in the region in order to weed out the menace of smuggling. The inflow of smuggled items not only damaged national economy but also brought losses to local traders. He said that all possible measures will be taken to plug the loopholes and strengthen the anti-smuggling activities.
The anti-smuggling drive helped collectorate to curb the smuggling trends and also contributed a handsome amount of revenue in outgoing financial year 2015-16, Shahid Jan added. Efforts will also be made to surpass revenue targets for new fiscal year 2016-17.
