LAHORE: As a result of coordinated efforts, the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation has not only been able to increase number of cases but the value of seized goods and vehicles showed a spectacular increase in revenue collection from Rs 278.270 million to Rs 845.767 million, showing a significant increase of 204 percent as compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
These views were expressed by Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (Customs) Director Saud Imran Ahmad while sharing performance of the directorate with Customs Today here the other day.
Ahmad said that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan, in order to curb the menace of smuggling, constituted a task force headed by Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, Director General Intelligence and Investigation, to coordinate anti-smuggling operations along with various field formations. The directorate of intelligence and investigation had already been invigorated by the leadership provided by Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, the customs intelligence director said, adding that the amount of duty/taxes involved in the seizures made out by the directorate of intelligence and investigation, FBR, Lahore during this period went up from Rs 154.611 million to Rs 637.986 million, showing an enormous increase of 312 percent.
The directorate of intelligence and investigation-FBR director explained that the directorate during the current financial year has detained/seized 62 non-duty paid/ smuggled vehicles till the filing of interview as compared to 13 during the corresponding period of the previous financial year showing an upward trend of 377%.
Ahmad stated during the period under review, intelligence and investigation-FBR, Lahore carried out successful seizures of high value items such as 4697 mobile phones valuing over Rs 60 million. Moreover, around 4 million smuggled cigarettes valuing over Rs 61 million were seized/confiscated. Similarly, about 300 smuggled LEDs of various brands were seized during the anti-smuggling operations, he underscored.
The director shared that in the last two weeks of April alone two trucks belonging to two notorious smugglers were seized as were two loaded buses.
The directorate also seized forty branded non duty paid LEDs from a Mazda, the director said, adding that the directorate also raided a warehouse seizing one lakh sixty five thousand meters of Indian chiffon. The value of seizures made in the last two weeks of April alone runs into crores of rupees.
Director General Imtiaz Ahmad Khan continues to emphasize the importance of eternal vigilance for continuing to achieve organizational goals and provides the vision, support and guidance for doing so, Ahmad mentioned.
He resolved that anti-smuggling drive to curb the menace of smuggling is continuing with the same zeal and hectic efforts are being made to unearth the dumping places of smuggled goods and to ensure that the illicit transportation of smuggled goods within the jurisdiction of the directorate of intelligence and investigation -FBR, Lahore is effectively checked and eradicated, Saud Imran Ahmad concluded.
