TORKHAM: Collectorate of Customs Appraisement foiled an attempt to smuggle precious stones coming from Afghanistan concealed inside a coal consignment.
Talking with Customs Today the Collector Appraisement Mohammad Ishfaq Khan has said that on 12th November, 2023 at about 7.00 am, in pursuance of a credible information, the Customs staff intercepted Trailer No.KBL-1881, loaded with coal was coming from Afghanistan and recovered 71 kilograms of stones from toll box and other parts of the truck.
Khan said that after seizing the consignment samples of precious stones were sent to Gems and Jewelry Centre of Excellence, University of Engineering, Peshawar for analysis and determination of its actual quality.
The lab report confirmed that the seized stones are precious in nature namely Kunzite, Green Spodomen and Scapolite.
The market value of the seized stones is Rs 405 Million while value of Coal is Rs.1 million (approx) whereas value of offending (vehicle use for carrying smuggled goods) vehicle in estimated Rs.5 million, the total value of the case is Rs. 411 million.
The Collector Appraisement further told that the driver of the vehicle has been taken under custody and FIR is underway in the subject case.