ISLAMABAD: In pursuance of an information, the Anti-Smuggling staff of Directorate of I&I FBR, Regional Office Rawalpindi has recovered the foreign origin cigarettes worth million of rupees from Hyundai pick-up.
The anti-smuggling staff near Nankari Bazaar Rawalpindi signaled to stop a Hyundi pick up bearing registration no IDT-3312 coming from Pir Wadhai Rawalpindi. The driver of the said vehicle did not bother to stop instead he accelerated the speed. The staff chased the said vehicle and found it abandoned on the roadside at some distance, while the driver fled from the scene. Despite hectic efforts the driver of the said vehicle could not be traced. However, the vehicle was taken into custody and its search was conducted in the presence of witnesses, which led to the recovery of following foreign origin cigarettes.
31 boxes containing 1.550 cartons of Benson & Hedges Cigarettes Special Filter (Made in London), six boxes containing 300 cartons of Yun Yan Filter Cigarettes (Made in China) and three boxes containing Dunhill Master Blend King Size Cigarettes (Made in London).
At the time of occurrence no one claimed the ownership of above-mentioned foreign origin smuggled cigarettes as well as Hyundi pick up. Therefore, the said recovered foreign origin smuggled cigarettes along with Hyundi pick up bearing registration no IDT-3312 was seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act 1969.
Notice under Section 171 is also affixed at office notice board. FIR 02/2015 dated 14-2-2015 has also been lodged against unknown persons. The cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of above said F/o smuggled non-duty paid cigarettes stands at 5,653,088. Further proceedings are in progress. The value of seized vehicle is estimated at Rs 700,000.
