SIALKOT: Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Zone-II incharge Deputy Collector Waheed Anwar Abro has decided to launch a massive anti-smuggling campaign with the help of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in his jurisdiction.
Talking to Customs Today, Anwar said that the campaign will be kicked off adopting zero-tolerance policy against smuggling, adding that the department has started cooperation with other law enforcement agencies to curb smuggling in the zone.
He said that the jurisdiction of the zone stretched to the boundaries of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Rawalpindi division of the country, which is a main route for transportation of goods. Keeping in view the importance of the route, a plan has been made to curb smuggling, besides arresting smugglers with the cooperation of law enforcement agencies.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation, local police, Pakistan Rangers, Punjab Highway Police, Motorway Police and other agencies will assist the ASO by sharing information regarding the smuggling attempts in the Gujranwala Division.
The ASO has also taken permission from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to come hard on the smuggling. The FBR will also monitor the anti-smuggling operations conducted with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, he informed.
He said that the zone-II few days ago foiled a drug smuggling bid and seized 15.5 kilogram of opium recovered from a van of courier company whereas the ASO team nabbed driver, Pervez Ahmed. He added that principal suspect in the case was arrested by the help of local police from Sahiwal.
