ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Rawalpindi, has seized 18,476 kilogramme smuggled dried fruits and other goods worth Rs 8 million.
The suspects were trying to smuggle the dried fruit to Peshawar from Quetta. Additional Director Abdul Waheed Marwat told Customs Today that on pursuance of information, the anti-smuggling staff intercepted a trailer bearing Registration No TLG-819 near Fateh Jang.
The officials searched the vehicle in presence of witnesses and driver Akhter and found 1,120kg Chile-origin almonds without shell, 7,500kg Iranian-origin pistachio with shell, 4,000kg roasted gram, 2,856kg raisin, Suzuki Pick Up without gear and KEM deep with three submersible pumps.
On demand, the driver of truck produced photo copies of GDs bearing Nos QDRY-HC-1494 dated November 15, 2016, QDRY-HC-884 dated 03.10.2016, QDRY-HC-1197 dated October 27, 2016 and QDRY-HC-1236 dated October 31, 2016, and QDRY-HC-4358 dated October 10, 2016 along with receipts in respect of loaded foreign origin goods.
The GDs and receipts were examined and it was found that the receipts did not have the name and address of the consignee and purchaser of the goods. No other documents like voucher and invoice were produced. As regard to the GDs, there are no nexuses between the importer and purchaser and consignee of the goods in question.
Hence the same were found irreverent and smuggled one; therefore the detention has been converted into seizure. The trailer truck was also impounded under Section 168 of the Customs Act 1969. A notice under section 171 ibid is also sent at the given address of the driver.
