LAHORE: Collectorate of Customs team deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIA) on Sunday morning foiled a bid to smuggle over 1000 luxury mobile phones, drones as well as PlayStations worth Rs. 100 million.
Sources said that on the information of Collector Customs, Allama Iqbal International Airport, the Customs authorities seized electronic gadgets including 1,044 mobile phones, drones, and five PlayStations from a father and son traveling from Abu Dhabi to Lahore.
Sources said that the value of the seized devices is estimated to be above Rs100 million. The department is lodging an FIR and further investigation is underway, sources added.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan Customs team also seized smuggled items worth Rs. 70 million including 290 mobile phones, 52 iPads, 28 laptops, and other equipment at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on February 23.
Smuggled phones have a huge market in Pakistan and the demand has increased in recent months with increased taxes on imported mobile phones, the surge in demand has been compounded by the depreciating local currency which has made flagship smartphones extremely expensive in the country.
