KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs is actively investigating into smuggling of donkey hides worth millions of rupees.
According to the sources, a Customs team, under the supervision of the Deputy Collector Customs Preventive Headquarters Ali Raza, has concluded that the smugglers were operating the network from the neighboring country.
The sources also informed that during the investigation it has been revealed that the donkeys hides were being smuggled to China and their meat was sold to the restaurants situated on the highways in Punjab connecting different cities.
The customs officers came to know that a foreigner culprit Tu Zhong Xiao was in direct contact with his counterpart in China and was residing in the Karachi’s posh area, Defense Housing Authority, informed the sources.
The customs authorities are in contact with the Chinese authorities to apprehend the mastermind operating the network of smuggling of donkey hides on which positive response has been given, the sources reveled.
The donkeys were slaughtered in far flung areas of Punjab and hides were sold for Rs 3,000 per piece. Donkey hides were sent to Karachi from Lahore from where the consignment was being sent to China through sea route.
It is pertinent to mention that in China hides of donkey have huge demand and besides making other valuable items, Gilatin is made by the donkey hides which is used in manufacturing of a medicine named Ejiao very useful for the blood related illness as well as used in the cosmetics items.
