MULTAN: Collectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization has stepped up enforcement activities against smugglers to curb menace of smuggling from jurisdiction.
During the month of January Anti-Smuggling Organization seized vehicles worth Rs75.3 million. These seizures have been made by the Anti-Smuggling Organization in coordination with others federal and provincial law enforcement agencies including local police and Anti-Narcotics Force.
The Customs Collectorate Preventive continued its drive against smuggling under the supervision of Collector Muhammad Saleem.
In January, 2020 MCC-Multan has seized goods worth Rs. 250 Million as compared to Rs61.43 million worth of goods seized last year during the same month. A growth of 307 percent has been recorded in seizure values this year viz-a-viz previous year.
Moreover, the Collectorate exceeded the assigned target of Rs186 million in January 2020 by 34.4%. In the 7 months of FY 2019-20, seizures worth Rs1845.23 million were made as against seizures worth Rs898.89 million made during the same period last year hence showing an increase of seizures by 105 percent.
The Collectorate has in particular taken strong measures against the smuggling of contraband items like Betel Nuts which pose a grave health risk for its consumers. In January a total of 27.28 tons of Betel nuts having value of Rs. 78.24 Million have been seized in different operations including raids on the godowns in Multan and Faisalabad regions. Similarly, cigarettes and chewable tobacco have also been seized in various anti-smuggling operations. The concerted efforts and focused anti-smuggling operations have significantly reduced the smuggling of these contrabands.
Precisely, the Collectorate seized Rs171.76 million worth of cases of food items and spices worth Rs. 40.48, tyres worth Rs 11.06 million, POL products (including HSD oil) worth Rs7.52 million, cloth worth Rs23.23 million, vehicles worth Rs75.3 million, cigarettes worth Rs14.17 million, in January 2020. This has been made possible due to comprehensive strategy and placement of staff on merit keeping in view the on ground requirements and cultivation of an efficient network of informers.
The Collectorate resolves to keep this momentum against rooting out of smuggling from this region in line with Policy of the current Government.
