KARACHI: Collectorate of Customs Enforcement conducted a joint operation with the assistance of Sindh Rangers and Sindh police during wee hours of June 1, 2024 at Light House and seized 20 tonnes of foreign origin furnishing fabric.
Sources told Customs Today that Collector Basit Maqsood Abbasi received credible information about transportation of foreign origin furnishing fabric. He directed Additional Collector Dawood Pirzado, and Deputy Collector Raza Naqvi to take all measures to thwart any attempt of smuggling.
The anti-smuggling operation had evaded payment of leviable duties and taxes, but customs anti-smuggling squad was able to intercept the illegal consignment. The fabric, valued at approximately Rs. 100 million, was loaded onto a fleet of vehicles, including 5 Mazda Trucks, 3 Sharhzore Trucks, and 6 Suzuki Pickups. The entire haul has been transported to the Collectorate’s warehouse for detailed examination and further legal proceedings.
It is necessary to mention here that Assistant Collector Shahzad Ali supervised the operation, which led to the arrest of two individuals involved in the smuggling.
The customs anti-smuggling squad comprising Preventive Officers Saqlain Chadhar, Ali Hussain Baloch, SPS Habib Meo and others.
An FIR has been registered against the culprits in the Customs Court and further investigations are still underway till the filing of this report.
Earlier, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement in Karachi carried out a successful raid on a godown located at Singer Chowrangi, Korangi.
During the raid, a staggering 3000 kilograms of foreign-origin betel nuts, along with associated manufacturing materials, were seized from the godown. The contraband goods were suspected to have been smuggled into the country, bypassing legal channels and evading taxes and duties.
