KARACHI: The Model Customs Collectorate Preventive’s Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has detected the largest single seizure in the history of Pakistan Customs involving Rs 304 million.
Addressing a news conference at the godown that was raided by the ASO on Wednesday under the supervision of Assistant Collector Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi, Chief Collector Enforcement-South Zahid Khokhar said that a huge quantity of smuggled goods was seized that included android cellular phones, LED TV sets, tablets, contact lenses, assorted toiletries and other electronic goods wroth Rs 304.621 million.
“A transshipment cargo in a container bearing No EITU-1135555 was destined for Model Customs Collectorate, Lahore under safe transportation cargo. The seized goods were recovered from a godown situated opposite OBS Pakistan Private Limited, Factory C14 Site and adjacent to Plot No B13”, the chief collector added.
Three persons identified as Munawar, Shahid Iqbal and Imran were arrested while FIR has also been registered against these persons. While the efforts are underway to arrest the culprits/unscruplous elements who were importing commercial goods of higher duty slab under the umbrella of transshipment for up-country, Zahid Khokhar said.
According to chief collector Enforcement-South, the modus-operandi evolved was that the container loaded with high-end commercial goods was taken from the port area under transshipment permit (TP) to be cleared at up-country dry port but instead of taking it to the upcountry dry port (in this case NLC Dry Port, Lahore) the same was taken to the said godown in the city. At this specified godown, the higher duty slab goods were being offloaded and the container was being stuffed with low duty goods.
The seized goods include: mobile phones of assorted brands 27,217 pieces, assorted tablets notepad etc 1,695 pieces, contact lenses 46,979 pieces, perfumes 2,007 pieces, LED TVs 214, pencil erasers 10,060 kg, washing machines 73, auto parts 1,056kg, DVD players 122 pieces, dry irons 182 pieces, apple cider 960 pieces, Samsung mobile phone batteries 750 pieces, refrigerators 15, feather blades 196,000 pieces, cotton stick 172,000 pieces, etc.
It is pertinent to mention here that this is the third such case where the goods were being pilferaged from transshipment cargo destined for upcountry in the last few months.
