KARACHI: Pakistan Customs, in coordination with national security and maritime agencies, has seized smuggled goods and narcotics worth more than Rs37.9 billion ($135.3 million) in a series of intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations carried out across airports, inland provinces and maritime routes, according to official statements.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Customs recovered gold, silver and commercial goods worth Rs925 million ($3.31 million) during enforcement actions nationwide.
According to a statement issued by the information, authorities intercepted 234.133 tolas (2.73 kilograms) of gold and 30,785 tolas (359 kilograms) of silver at international airports.
“The seized gold is valued at Rs100.67 million, while the silver is worth Rs205.67 million, bringing the total to over Rs306 million [$1.10 million],” the statement said.
In Balochistan, Customs Enforcement Quetta conducted multiple raids on warehouses in and around Quetta, seizing smuggled goods worth approximately Rs500 million ($1.79million), including betel nuts, cigarettes, Chinese salt, Indian medicines, skimmed milk powder, spare parts and misdeclared dates.
Meanwhile, the Collectorate of Customs, Sargodha seized Rs119.38 million ($427,000) worth of smuggled consignments through intelligence-based operations.
“The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Sargodha seized 584 non-duty-paid, foreign-origin high-end mobile phones valued at Rs72.43 million [$259,000],” the statement said. “In a separate operation, a used Toyota Prius worth Rs6.7 million was also seized for violations of customs laws.”
Additional enforcement actions by ASO Mianwali led to the seizure of foreign-origin sheesha, supari, smokeless tobacco (niswar) and cigarettes valued at over Rs28 million ($100,000), while ASO Faisalabad recovered walnuts and walnut kernels worth Rs12.25 million ($44,000).
Major maritime narcotics seizure
In the largest operation, a joint intelligence-based counter-narcotics operation near Gadani, Balochistan resulted in the seizure of 500 kilograms of methamphetamine (ICE) and 3,500 bottles of foreign liquor, valued at Rs37 billion ($132 million).
According to a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the operation was conducted jointly by the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani.
“The joint team intercepted the illicit consignments during coordinated maritime operations,” the statement said. “The foreign liquor was being smuggled into Pakistan through international sea routes, while the narcotics consignment was intended for an international destination.”
Following the interception, custody of the seized contraband was formally transferred to the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Headquarters in Karachi, in accordance with legal procedures.
The operation was carried out under the coordination framework of the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center (JMICC).
“These actions underscore the vigilance, professionalism and unwavering commitment of Pakistan’s enforcement and maritime security agencies,” the FBR said.
