HYDERABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sukkur has impounded foreign origin non-duty-paid 500 smuggled cartons of Pine light cigarettes and foreign origin non-duty-paid 22 batteries valued at Rs1.4million including duties and taxes during an action near Sukkur Bypass during the month of July 2017-18. Smuggled items were being transported into Pakistan.
Following the strict guidelines by Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, the ASO team conducted various anti-smuggling activities to protect the national exchequer.
The team, headed by Additional Collector Customs Hyderabad Rehmatulah Vistro, constituted a raiding party comprising of In-charge Makhan Khan, Inspector Muhammad Joriyal Abbasi, Inspector Abdul Rauf Bhutto, some sepoys and a driver who participated in the action.
The team intercepted a public transport vehicle near Toll Plaza Sukkur Bypass Rhori and recovered abovementioned foreign origin non-duty-paid Pine Light cigarettes and smuggled batteries priced at Rs850000 lakh involving duties and taxes of Rs573200 lakh.
Prior to the recovery, officials asked the driver to produce any legal document about the possession of the items but he was unable to produce anything legal so the consignments were confiscated.
A case was registered and an investigation was also started. Officials said that Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq had directed that effective measures be taken for curbing the smuggling in the region.
