QUETTA: The Customs authorities have has seized huge quantity of smuggled cigarettes worth Rs4.2 million from passenger buses.
Quetta Collector Ashraf Ali forwarded the information to Additional Collector Preventive Zubair Shah that an attempt would be made to transport smuggled goods. A raiding team was constituted which intercepted two passenger buses for checking at Lakpas Checkpost. However, the drivers of the buses tried to escape by speeding away.
The buses were also being escorted by accomplices of smugglers in two private cars who opened fire at customs check post, Lakpas which was retaliated by the staff.
Anti-smuggling staff with the aid of other law enforcement agencies finally intercepted the vehicles near Lakpas tunnel and recovered large quantity of foreign origin cigarettes of brands including Marlboro, Pine, Dunhill and Benson & Hedges.
The smugglers also blocked the RCD Highway for more than two hours whereupon the local Levies lodged an FIR against the suspects and arrested one person.
Customs officials seized the offending goods along with two coaches worth Rs6 million and investigations are underway.
