KARACHI: The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, Anti-Smuggling Organisation, in its ongoing campaign against smuggling claimed to have seized foreign-origin smuggled goods worth Rs 12.5 million.
According to details, 45,000 litres of smuggled Iranian diesel and petrol were seized and the three tankers used in the transportation impounded near the Superhighway Toll Plaza with active support and help of Sindh Rangers.
The value of seized diesel and petrol, along with three oil tankers, is approximately Rs 8 million.
In another case, more than five tonnes of foreign origin smuggled cumin seeds (white zeera) dumped in a shed near Mauripur Road Karachi was taken into custody.
This was recovered on the basis of information that smuggled goods were being stored and dumped in various go-downs and other places. Legal custom documents, including payment of duty and taxes of cumin seeds, were not produced by the owners.
The Customs Intelligence staff also seized more than 300 bottles of imported liquor and beer. An FIR of the case has also been lodged in the Customs Court and further investigations are underway.
In response to a query, Customs Intelligence Director Asif Marghoob Siddiqui told Customs Today that the total value of the goods seized in these three operations was around Rs 10 million.
He further informed that these anti-smuggling operations were conducted under the supervision of a team headed by Assistant Director Kaleem Ullah, including Superintendent Raffat Hussain, Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Aslam, Intelligence Officer Akmal Hashmi, Munawwar Ali, Saif Hashmi, Qasim Alvi, Meraj Alvi and Pervaiz Zardari. Formal seizure report of all the smuggled goods is being sent to the adjudication collector and prosecution action is also in the process.
He also said that Sukkur Range Office seized smuggled gutka and black pepper, and impounded a smuggled car, with an accumulative value of Rs 2.5 million. He said that the operation against smuggling would continue with full force.