HYDERABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has foiled a bid to smuggle cigarettes and seized 20 cartons of Pine cigarettes and gutka worth Rs 908,000 during two actions.
Following the instructions of Hyderabad Customs Collector Agha Shahid Majeed, the ASO team under the supervision of Additional Collector Omer Shafique conducted the operations in the region to curb smuggling.
The team raided Pathan Colony Sarfraz Road, Hyderabad and seized cigarettes which were allegedly being smuggled from Hyderabad. After making seizure report, the ASO team deposited the confiscated cigarettes to Hyderabad State Warehouse.
The team comprising Superintendent Sikander Akbar Phanwar, Deputy Superintendent Anwar Ahmed Siddiqui, Inspector Waqar Ahmed Baig, Inspector Syed Nazim Ali, Inspector Dhakeel Khan Sepoyes Essa, Abid Raza and other participated in the operation.
In another raid, the Hyderabad ASO seized 38 bags of Indian origin gutka worth Rs 658,000 involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 260,000.
Following a tip-off received through Model Customs Collect orate Hyderabad Agha Shahid Majeed, the ASO team conducted raid in an area of Hyderabad to foil the smuggling bid.
Under the supervision of Additional Collector Omer Shafique, ASO team comprising Inspectors Waqar Ahmed Baig, Shafi Mohammad Jamali Inspector Mushtaq Ali Lakho and others conducted search operation of a vehicle and recovered 38 bags of smuggled Indian gutka being smuggled from Karachi to Hyderabad. A case has been registered against the accused under the customs law.
Meanwhile, Additional Collector Omer Shafique while talking to Customs Today said that department was striving to increase the surveillance of suspects in the region as more check posts has been established to foiled the smuggling bids.