MULTAN: Under professional leadership of Member Customs Operations Ms. Zeba Haye Azhar and personal supervision of Collector Imran Bokhari, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement has further intensified its anti-smuggling crackdown against smuggled goods, illegal godowns & dumping places. The market value of seized goods is Rs320.21 in international market.
In this regards, NDP-vehicles, foreign currency, precious metals, smuggled POL, mobile phones worth Rs320.21 million were seized during the month of November, 2023 which is a 266 percent increase in terms of value, compared to the corresponding time period of previous financial year.
In November 2022, Collectorate of Customs formed 10 cases involving Rs87.5 million while in November 2023 72 cases were registered involving Rs320.21 million.
Multan Collectorate under the command of Collector Syed Imran Bukhari and Additional Collector Shah Faisal resolved to promote genuine/legal trade activities and to discourage illegal businesses using smuggled goods. For the purpose of facilitation of international passengers, the Collectorate has established a Vigilance Cell at the airport as an extra layer of facilitation. At Multan International Airport which is fifth busiest airport of the country, during the month of November, two major cases; one of foreign currency and gold amounting to Rs.8.67 million and second of 114 i-phones worth Rs.12 million were seized. Two persons have been arrested and are under investigations.
Simultaneously, in various Enforcement operations across territorial jurisdiction of Multan Collectorate, a large quantity of smuggled items in 72 cases (worth Rs.320.21 million) have been seized, during month of November, 2023, as tabulated below:
During the month of November 2023, the Collectorate impounded 4 carrier vehicles worth Rs20 million and also seized 19 non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs169.5 million. Multan Collecorate also recovered foreign currency valuing Rs14 million.
The Collectorate also seized food items which includes dry fruits, skimmed milk worth Rs48.2 million. Multan Customs seized 152 grams of gold valuing Rs22.8 million, 183 mobile phones worth Rs33.46 million, and other goods amounting to Rs23.25 million. The market value of seized goods is Rs320.21 in international market.
Three auctions were conducted in November, 2023 wherein Rs.73.175 million revenue was realized against 26 auction lots.
Moreover, strict instructions to the anti-smuggling formations including mobile squads of the Collectorate and airport have been issued to keep vigilance on the illicit movement of essential goods / commodities, Iranian POL and currency.
In the above context, all transporter associations and owners of carrier vehicles are forewarned and cautioned to ensure that legal documents accompany all imported goods which are being transported by them, otherwise strict legal action shall ensue resulting in seizing / confiscation of vehicles.
****
