GWADAR: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) team has seized smuggled sugar and plastic worth Rs 36 million in three separate intelligence based operations (IBOs) conducted on Thursday morning.
According to the details, Customs I&I team intercepted stopped two vehicles carrying 40 feet containers that claimed to transport “Filtered Water”. However, during thorough examination, they found 750 bags of sugar in one container and 1000 bags of sugar in the other container. The value of the sugar was estimated at Rs 11.85 million, while the vehicles were worth Rs 20.15 million. The officials seized the goods and the vehicles and initiated further proceedings.
In another operation, the customs I&I teamf intercepted a vehicle that purported to carry used plastic bags and rags. They discovered that the vehicle was actually smuggling 8 MT of “clear plastic film” under the cover of used plastic items. The value of the plastic film was Rs 3.412 million, along with the vehicle. The officials seized the goods and the vehicle and initiated further proceedings.
Customs Intelligence Gawadar Director Tahir Qureshi and Additional Director Moin Afzal appreciated the work of Deputy Director Majid Gaad, Senior Intelligence officer Mohammad Sadiq and team.
The Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, Gwadar, has intensified its drive against smuggling of betel nuts and cigarettes in last two weeks. Resultantly, this Directorate has effected 6 seizures of contraband goods like betel nuts within a span of two weeks.
A change of pattern in the movement of betel nuts and other contraband items have also been observed whereby relatively small vehicles like Land Rover pickups, Suzuki pickups, are being used on off road tracks in Winder and Uthal for transport of betel nuts and cigarettes.
Moreover, some new methods of concealment have also been noticed to smuggle betel buts in the garb of locally manufactured goods like cement. In one case, a steel partition wall was detected within the containers which was erected for concealing betel nuts and Indian Gutka.
