KARACHI: The Directorate of Customs Intelligence recovered a huge quantity of smuggled cigarettes of different brands in a successful operation.
According to details, information was received that a sizable quantity of foreign cigarettes were on the move to find way in the local markets.
Acting on this, a team of Customs Intelligence consisting of SIO Haji Muhammad Aslam and IOs Akmal Hashmi, Qasim Ali Alvi and Saif Hashmi were given a task to foil the attempt. As a result, a truck loaded with a container and bearing registration number JT-0156 was signaled to stop near Denso Hall.
Upon being searched, a huge quantity of cigarettes was found in it. The vehicle was escorted to the office of Customs Intelligence for further search. After a thorough search of the container, around 299 cartons having 23,350 bars of foreign cigarettes were recovered from it. These included Pine Menthol, Super Slim ESSE, More Menthol and Mount Super Slim, etc. The total value of the cigarettes and the truck were determined to be more than Rs 17 million. After fulfilling legal requirements, the cigarettes were seized and the truck impounded. An FIR in this regard was also lodged under the Customs Act, 1969. Further legal formalities with reference to submission of challan in the court of special judge (customs) are underway. Customs Intelligence Director Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui told this scribe over the phone that the recent seizure had been made in line with the anti-smuggling strategy of the Federal Board of Revenue and on the instructions of Customs Intelligence Director General Lutfullah Virk. He further told that during the last couple of months, the Customs Intelligence also seized foreign cigarettes valuing more than Rs 80 million.
He added that the Pakistan Tobacco Company was also appreciating the efforts of the Customs Intelligence director to curb illicit cigarette trade in Pakistan in their letters to the FBR chairman and the Customs Intelligence director general .
