SARGODHA: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has impounded a foreign origin non-duty paid Toyota Hilux Surf bearing registration no: LZV-212 Model 1994 worth Rs 1.6 million, involving customs duty and taxes of Rs 9.8 million.
Sources told Customs Today that Assistant Collector Shah Samad Hamdani received a tip-off regarding some smuggling attempts. He formed an ASO team under the supervision of Superintendent Chaudhary Muhmmad Sardar, which also included Inspectors Malik Atif, Bashir Ahmed, Amir Ali, and Sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Hafiz Nasir Ahmed, Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Iqbal and Shafqat Mehmood.
During the checking of the vehicles, the team intercepted Toyota Hilux Surf near Police Station Factory Area Sargodha city. The ASO team asked the driver namely Muhammad Abbas to produce the legal documents regarding the possession of the vehicle but he failed to prove anything legal.
It was revealed through initial interrogations that the vehicle was brought into country without paying customs duty and taxes. The impounded vehicle was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Islamabad for examination.
The ASO team took into possession the vehicle under Section 168 of the Customs Act 1969 and forwarded the case to the Customs Adjudication for further proceedings.
