RAWALPINDI: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has foiled an attempt to smuggle 9,000 kilogram Iranian apples worth more than Rs 2 million and seized all the 924 crates along with truck.
It is pertinent to mention here that half US dollar per kilogram customs duty is imposed on import of foreign origin apples. The seized Apples will be sold out within two days through auction because it is a perishable item.
According to the details, the anti-smuggling staff of Rawalpindi Customs Intelligence received information that huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled apples will try to smuggle to internal Punjab. On tip off, anti- smuggling staff intercepted a Hino truck bearing registration no: EA 2301 (Peshawar) near Tarnol Islamabad, which coming from Bannu.
At the time of occurrence one Fazak Niaz Khan son of Umar Ayaz Khan resident of tehsil and district Bannu was the driving the Hino truck. Apparently the said truck was loaded with Iranian origin apples. Thorough search of the truck was conducted in presence of witnesses and driver which led to the recovery of the 924 crate of foreign origin apples.
On demand the truck driver Fazal Niaz produced a Goods Declaration (GDs) bearing No. 14900 dated 15th December 2017and a bilty No. 861 dated 09 January 2018 issued by M/s New Super Sindh Wazirstan Goods Transport Company D.I. Khan Road Bannu. During scrutiny of above mentioned GD, it was found tempered and bogus , therefore anti-smuggling staff seized the recovered Iranian foreign origin apples along with truck under section 168 of the Customs Act 1969.
