ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Peshawar seized 526 cartons of foreign origin smuggled cigarettes worth Rs36.5 million.
According to sources the Customs I&I Peshawar has foiled a major attempt of smuggling huge quantity of high quality branded foreign origin cigarettes into the country. Director General Customs I&I Shaukat Ali received a tip-off regarding transportation of smuggled cigarettes. He immediately constituted a special team and directed them to start searching the vehicles at entry/exit points of the province.
While searching, the customs I&I team intercepted a suspicious ten wheeler Hino Truck stuffed with foreign origin smuggled cigarettes near ACL, Bridge Nowshera. Thorough search and examination of the truck led the recovery of foreign origin smuggled high quality cigarettes brands including Milano cigarettes made in UAE 286 cartons, Pine cigarettes made in Korea 144 cartons, Napoli cigarettes made in Italy 30 cartons, MOND cigarettes 28 cartons, Lips cigars made in USA 24 cartons, ZEN cigarettes made in UAE 8 cartons and Milano cigarettes small 6 cartons.
The smuggled cigarettes along with the truck have accordingly been seized for violation of the provisions of the Customs Act 1969. The estimated value of the seizure is Rs40.5 million (goods Rs36.5 million and truck Rs4 million).
The customs intelligence and investigation team lodged an FIR and arrested one accused. Further investigations are underway.
