MULTAN: In a major crackdown against smuggling, Collectorate of Customs Enforcement seized non-customs paid vehicles, cigarettes, auto parts, food items, betel nuts, petroleum products, electronics, pharmaceuticals, tobacco products, and various other goods worth Rs966 million in January 2025.
The operations were carried out in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of eradicating smuggling and eliminating smugglers from the country. Under the directives of Chief Collector of Customs (Islamabad), Basit Maqsood Abbasi, and led by Collector Customs Enforcement (Multan), Muhammad Farrukh Sharif, intelligence-based operations targeted smuggling networks across the region.
The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) demonstrated remarkable efficiency, achieving a 519% increase in recoveries compared to January 2024, marking a significant milestone in Multan Customs Enforcement’s efforts.
Among the major seizures, the department confiscated 14 non-customs paid vehicles, including Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado, Toyota Aqua, Honda Civic, Prius, and Suzuki Alto valued at Rs40 million. Additionally, authorities seized 1,283 cartons of smuggled cigarettes worth Rs 632 million and 693 HTV and LTV radial tyres valued at Rs 21 million. Auto parts weighing 14 tons, with a total worth of Rs 29 million, were also confiscated.
In the category of food and consumables, 12,282 kg of food items, including dried milk powder, worth Rs 15 million, were seized, along with 33,239 kg of betel nuts estimated at Rs 32.5 million. The crackdown also resulted in the confiscation of 198,660 litres of high-speed diesel and other petroleum products, valued at Rs 43 million. Electronics, including solar inverters and mobile accessories, worth Rs 13 million, and various other goods, such as cosmetics and tea, worth Rs 49.5 million, were also seized.
Additionally, 11,200 kg of tobacco products, including gutka and naswar, valued at Rs4 million, were confiscated along with 23,530 prohibited pharmaceutical tablets (Sildenafil). Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts against illicit trade and smuggling to safeguard the national economy.
