LAHORE: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) has seized 50 cartons of non-customs imported cigarettes worth Rs 2 million from Multan Road.
According to Customs Intelligence Superintendent Malik Yasin, at least 50 cartoon were loaded on a truck which was coming from Balochistan to Lahore.
Yasin said that cigarettes were hidden tactfully under the sacks of lentils and when the customs authorities undertook thorough search of the truck it was discovered that the truck was carrying 50 cartons of imported cigarettes.
He said that when the customs authorities demanded documents from the owner of the truck he failed to produce any legal clearance documents. The customs authorities under took the operation led Deputy Xirector Ali Zeb Khan on the directions of Xirector Zeba Hai Azhar.
Sources told that the operation against the smuggling activities are being conducted on the directions of newly posted director Zeba Hai Azhar who instructed the Customs I&I official to deal with the elements involved in the illegal business of smuggling with iron hands.
Earlier, last week the directorate seized millions of rupees Indian originated spices from the smugglers when it was illegally being transported to Lahore.
The sources said that very week the customs authorities have planned to seize as much non-customs paid items as they can do.
The sources said that the aggressive drive against the non-customs paid items and vehicles are aimed at reducing smuggled items in the market so that the legal business may flourish saving the traders from heavy losses.
