ISLAMABAD: Collectorate of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) seized huge quantity of smuggled foreign origin fabric, air conditioners, mobile phones, LNBs and aluminum sheets along with offending vehicle worth Rs10 million and arrested two accused persons.
Sources of Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) told Customs Today that Collector Seema Raza Bokhari shared a secret information with Additional Collector Ashfaq Khan that a smuggling attempt will be made via Nila Dhola Motorway. After receiving the information, the additional collector formed a squad which was led by Assistant Collector Fahad Khan including Superintendent Matloob Shah and others. The ASO squad intercepted truck bearing registration no: C-2067 who sped away while ignoring sign of stop by Customs staff whereas the said truck slipped on other side of the road due to over-speeding while driver and conductor rescued and arrested on the spot.
After arresting them the ASO staff asked to produce legal documents regarding import and transportation of smuggled goods, but they failed to produce any relevant documents. The Customs staff loaded all the smuggled goods in other vehicle and shifted it to the Customs State warehouse. The seized goods comprised 3090 kgs of fabric, 700 nos air conditioners, 300 aluminum sheets, 5413 mobile phones and 1300 LNBs along with vehicle carrying foreign origin smuggled goods. The total value of vehicle and goods estimated at Rs10 million.
The case has been registered under Customs Act 1969 against the accused Imran Khan and Aslam Khan, a resident of Khyber Agency, including seized vehicle whereas case has been forwarded to I&P for further investigation.