MULTAN: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has impounded ten different non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 14.90 million in November 2016.
The ASO conducted several operations in the jurisdiction on the basis of received information against smuggled vehicles. It launched crackdown against the smuggled vehicles at extensive level to curtail the smuggling and impounded ten vehicles.
The department impounded different imported vehicles including Honda Civic, Toyota Axio, Toyota Probox, Toyota Corolla, Messy Tractor, Suzuki Lepco and others during the crackdowns in November.
As many as 4 vehicles out of ten were found tempered with during examination and other six vehicles were found non-tempered with, but proper chemical examination of these vehicles will be processed very soon to determine their status.
Several cases of impounded vehicles have been forwarded to the Customs Adjudication for their trial after the completion of investigation and remaining cases will also be sent to adjudication.
Officials said that the ASO has enhanced surveillance on clandestine routes in order to curb smuggling of vehicles, which were brought into the country without payment of leviable duty/taxes. They added that some impounded vehicles have fake registration documents formed by vehicle smugglers to deceive the officials.
They further said that the department has deputed special anti-smuggling squad in areas of Sakhi Sarwar and Sadiqabad known for smuggling of vehicles to prevent any attempt. The performance of the department was improving by enhancing monitoring, they said.
