ISLAMABAD: The Customs Car Cell and Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad impounded 196 offending and non-duty paid vehicles, including vehicles loaded with smuggled goods and non-duty-paid ones, valued Rs180.830million during nine months (July to March) of Financial Year (FY) 2016-17.
The Model Customs Car Cell impounded 78 Non-Customs Duty Paid (NDP) or smuggled vehicles under the Customs Act-1969 and Artical 16. The estimated worth of the said seized vehicles is Rs51.043 million. These NDP vehicles were impounded from the territory of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on information shared by Collector MCC Islamabad. These NDP vehicles were running on the roads with fake number plates or having no registration number plates.
On the other hand, the Customs ASO Islamabad confiscated 118 offending vehicles (Vehicles used for smuggling) from different locations under the jurisdiction of MCC Islamabad. These vehicles were seized under the Customs Article 157. The total value of the offending vehicles was Rs129.787million.
The Customs Car Cell and ASO impounded 163 vehicles worth Rs222.72million during the first seven months (July to January) of Financial Year (FY) 2016-17. The customs car cell impounded 63 non-duty paid vehicles priced Rs114.37million.
The sources added that the collector MCC Islamabad and chief collector north appreciated the performance of both departments and asked them to keep the good work up and nab the offenders.
The customs collectorate Islamabad used the latest technology such as laptops, connectivity with Excise and Taxation Department and strict vigilance by customs preventive division and car cell to discourage the trend of smuggled vehicles.