KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs Preventive, Karachi, has foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign origin liquor and seized 8400 bottles valuing more than Rs 34 million.
Addressing a press conference, Collector S Tariq Huda said that Drug Enforcement Cell Headquarters of the Customs Preventive received information that an attempt would be made to smuggle a huge quantity of foreign origin alcohol from the western coast of Karachi.
Accordingly, strict vigil and patrolling was maintained by the Drug Enforcement Cell Headquarters on the coastal belt, especially in the area of Mubarak Village up to Hawk’s Bay Road in the District West of the city.
On January 15, while extensive patrolling was being maintained in the area as mentioned above, two loaded trucks were seen coming from Mubarak village which were escorted by four motorcyclists.
The trucks drivers were cautioned to stop, but they accelerated the speed and also tried to hit the Customs vehicle. During the hot pursuit, both the trucks reached Laal Bhakkar from where one of the roads is going towards RCD Highway. Several warning shots in the air were fired which ultimately made the trucks to stop, however, the drivers managed to flee away on the escorting motorcycles.
Both the trucks were taken over by the drivers of the Customs team who drove them to the office of the Drug Enforcement Cell Headquarters at NMB Wharf. Both the trucks were found laden with gunny bags using cover load of cardboard carton bundles.
All the gunny bags were off loaded which upon counting were found to be 355 in number. Thereafter, all the gunny bags were cut open and detailed examination was carried out which resulted in the recovery of 8,413 bottles of foreign origin liquor.
This is yet another successful attempt by the staff of Customs Preventive, which prevented smuggling of such a huge quantity of foreign origin liquor having street value of Rs. 34215000 (Thirty four million Pak rupees)
