LAHORE: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation on Friday seized two trucks loaded with illegally imported spices worth millions of rupees, sources told Customs Today here.
It was reported that on the information of Director Customs I&I Zeba Hai Azhar, a customs team under the supervision of Deputy Collector Ali Zeb Khan led by Superintendent Yasin Mlaik with Intelligence Officer Sohail Murtza intercepted two trucks loaded with Indian originated cumin seeds, imli and fennel.
The sources said that the trucks were loaded with 200 sacks of zeera, 180 sacks of imli and 35 sacks of fennel worth Rs 8.5 million.
The sources informed that the spices were brought illegally by way of Azad Kashmir to Lahore when the Customs authorities intercepted the trucks on GT Road and impounded the trucks as the drivers and owners of the trucks failed to produce documents of legal import.
It was added that the trucks were to be dumped in the Akbari market of Lahore, however, the Customs authorities timely action saved the country from millions of rupees losses.
The sources said that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation authorities after registering a case against accused persons have started further investigations.
It was informed that the Customs I&I has initiated a series of crackdowns against the smuggling activities on the directions of newly posted Director Zeba Hai Azhar. She has issued strict instructions to the anti-smuggling teams urging them to come hard on the elements involved in smuggling and use all available resources to curb smuggling attempts in the region.
