KARACHI: In its ongoing campaign against smuggling and tax evasion, the Customs Intelligence Karachi seized items worth Rs 1.4 billion and arrested more than 50 accused during first nine months of current fiscal year 2014-15.
Smuggled items included around 10 tons of charas, 24,000 bottles of foreign origin whisky, 440000 litres diesel, smuggled cigarettes of various brands, gutka, tyres, tiles and electronic items etc.
According to Director, Customs Intelligence Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui, during the first nine months (July-March) smuggled items worth Rs 360 million were taken in to custody showing a growth of 294 percent in Anti-Smuggling Operations.
Responding to a query, Director informed that during the same period evasion of duty/taxes amounting to more than Rs 3 billion was detected at Karachi Port and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim in the various imports of telecommunication equipments, yarn, fabric and other items.
On the other hand, an amount of Rs. 280 million was collected and deposited to Government Treasury under the head of auction and on the spot recovery during the same period which was 255 percent more than the amount of Rs. 78 million, collected during 2013-14.
Marghoob showed determination that Customs Intelligence would continue its operation against smuggling and tax evasion using the available resources at its disposal.
