ISLAMABAD: Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) seized 8390 kilograms Indian perishable smuggled goods worth Rs2.5 million along with truck from Kahuta Road. The case was registered against the accused who successfully fled away from the scene.
Sources told Customs Today that ASO staff acting upon the direction and secret information received from Azmat Tahira, made a ‘naka bandi’ at Kahuta Road and intercepted Kashmiri origin Hino truck bearing registration no: RT-XA-137 which was coming from Kashmir. After interception the Customs staff of MCC asked the driver to show any legal documents but driver failed to produce any documents.
The Customs ASO squad led by Inspector Syed Muhammad Ali Shah and others seized the truck and brought it to State warehouse. After thorough checking the staff found 5120 kilograms of Indian origin pomegranate and 3270kgs of smuggled grapes. The total value of seized goods 8390 kilograms was estimated at Rs2.5 million.
The official sources of ASO Islamabad told that smuggled Indian goods and offending vehicle were seized under Customs Act 1969 while case was forwarded to Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department for Adjudication purpose.
Sources said the MCC has repeatedly requested Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Commerce Ministry to resolve intra-Kashmir trade issues but they did not finalize any policy yet to facilitate Kashmiri traders.
