FAISALABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO), Jhang, has seized foreign origin illegally imported iron and steel scrap valued at Rs 1.68 million, besides impounding carrier vehicle worth Rs 600,000 during an action.
Following information received through Collector Zulfiqar Ali, the ASO staff intercepted a Hino Truck bearing Registration No TKB- 473 near Faisalabad Bypass Road, Jhang loaded with 28,280 kilogrammes of iron and steel scrap. The truck was coming from Wana and going to Lahore.
On the spot, Customs Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya asked the driver named Muhammad Sadique to produce documents regarding legal import or lawful possession of the goods. The driver provided Goods Declaration No. 106 showing description as Afghani iron and steel waste scrap remeltable.
Later, the officials conducted weight of truck loaded with iron scrap that was 28,280kg instead of 24,000kg as declared in the GD. Therefore, the officials impounded the truck under Section 168, in violation of Section 16, 18, and 32 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with SRO No 499(1)2009.
The customs registered a case against two accused persons, namely as Khair Gul who is consigner and Abdur Rehman Madina Steel Mills, Gujranwala that is consignee, as per receipt No 177 issued by M/s Khair Gul and Sons.
The ASO team comprising Inspector Shaukat Khan, Muhammad Munir Ahmed, Sepoys Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Ajmal, Ahmed Bux and others participated in the operation.
The seizure report has been sent to the Customs Adjudication authority for further legal action.
