ISLAMABAD: Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rawalpindi has raided a tea company and seized 27,766kg smuggled tea worth of Rs 14 million and arrested one accused.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation deputy director told Customs Today that he received credible information about the smuggled tea. After that, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rawalpindi raided the Islamabad Tea Company which is situated in Sector I-11/3 and found smuggled tea stamped with Afghan Transit Trade.
The customs authorities seized 27,766kg/405 bags of smuggled tea worth of Rs 14 million, involving Rs 5 million of customs duty. The deputy director added that the customs authority lodges an FIR against two accused namely Akbar Ali, the owner of the said company, and Afsar Khan. The authorities arrested Akbar Ali on the spot.
It is important to mention here that Afghan Transit Trade route is the main source of smuggling into Pakistan, causing annual revenue loss of up to $3 billion to the national exchequer.
