SIALKOT: The Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Gujranwala, has impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Hilux Surf, which is owned by a renowned person, during an action in the region.
On the directions of Assistant Director Zanib Mehmood, Superintendent Muhammad Akmal deputed Inspector Majid Raza on Grand Trunk (GT) Road near Sheikhupura to keep an eye on smuggled vehicles.
The inspector along with his team members checked many vehicles. During the checking, the team intercepted a vehicle, Toyota Hilux Surf bearing Registration No ICT-SB-0941 near Sheikhupura.
The team asked the driver, Muhammad Khan, to show documents regarding the legal import of the vehicle but he could not produce the same. The team impounded the vehicle and shifted it to the customs office for further investigation.
The team released the driver after proper interrogation, besides registering a case as per customs law. However, the team will forward vehicle to laboratory for test and after test the vehicle case will be sent to adjudication department for further proceedings. The vehicle will be released or presented fort the auction in the light of decision of the adjudication authority.
It is learnt that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has strictly instructed to all officers of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation to take stern action against the non-duty paid vehicles. Therefore, the officials have established check posts at different location to foil the smuggling bids and intercepting the smuggled vehicles.
Officials said that smuggling of vehicles brought huge losses to the national exchequer in wake of customs duty that is received on the import of the items and vehicles.