HYDERABAD: Model customs collectorate, anti-smuggling organization (ASO), has confiscated imported brands of cigarettes of 100 cartons including 50 cartons of Royal Business and 50 cartons of Benson & Hedges being smuggled into Hyderabad during the first week of May, 2017. The market value of the seized cigarettes is Rs102500 involving duty taxes of Rs178350.
Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq received a tip-off about the smuggling of cigarettes so he formed a team under the supervision of Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro. The ASO team intercepted a truck with registration No: P-0830 near Toll Plaza of Mirpoor Khas and recovered abovementioned brands of cigarettes. The team asked the driver of the vehicle to produce the legal documents of the import and possession of the items, but he failed to do so. The authorities impounded the contraband cigarettes and registered a case.
Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro said the department has increased the surveillance in the region for which more check-posts have been established.