FAISALABAD: The Faisalabad Customs seized illegally imported red chilli seeds being supplied to Multan from Faisalabad.
On a tip-off, Faisalabad Collector Tauseef Ahmad Qureshi directed the anti-smuggling wing to foil a bid to smuggle red chilli.
Following the instructions, Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Superintendent Safdar Iqbal, Inspector Mahmood Ahmed, Inspector Amir Mumtaz Bajwa, Inspector Tanveerul Haq, Inspector Safdar Ali and others took action and intercepted a mini truck at a checkpoint near Sadhaar Bypass, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, and recovered the smuggled red chilli while checking.
The customs officials seized the consignment after the driver failed to produce the import documents, while they also impounded the vehicle under Sections 168 and 157 of the Customs Act, 1969, for violation of Section 16 and 18 of the Customs Act, 1969, Section 3 of Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, read with Section 3(1)3 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, punishable under Section 156(1)90 of the Customs Act, 1969, read with SRO 499(I)/2009 dated 13.06.2009 and the relevant customs laws.
On the other hand, customs issued a notice to the accused driver named Sohail Ahmad under Section 171 of the Customs Act, 1969.