FAISALABAD: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) took stern action against smuggling in the jurisdiction and confiscated non-duty paid goods worth Rs 268 million during the month of December 2019-20.
Customs Intelligence Director Adnan Akram told Customs Today that I&I department registered almost 12 cases during the said period. The department impounded non-duty paid vehicles and other vehicles under Section 157 of the Customs Act 1969 besides confiscating Aerosol Spray paints, cloth, groundnuts, betel nuts, glassware crockery, Pine light cigarettes and other miscellaneous items.
He said that performance report for December 2019 has been sent to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) after the Chairman FBR directed to expedite the anti smuggling activities throughout the jurisdiction to save the national economy. The Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) Sargodha has impounded non duty paid Toyota Vitz car bearing registration no: WAD-337 Quetta worth Rs 1.5 million. He said that it confiscated foreign origin Pine light cigarette 748 dandas made in Korea worth Rs 2.5 million. The board has issued special directives to curb the smuggling of cigarettes whereas local cigarettes manufacturers appreciated the performance of the department, he explained.
Customs I&I also seized foreign origin Aerosol Spray worth Rs 5 million along with Nissan trailer registration No JU-6292 F/O cloth 15 bundles, 1000 kgs worth Rs 2 millions groundnuts in shell 11200 kgs along with Hino truck registration number TKW-021 worth Rs 4.5 millions, F/O betel nuts 8000 kgs worth Rs 8000 kgs worth Rs 3.2 millions, F/O glassware crockery 9900 kgs made in Iran along with Hino truck No NAB-117 Quetta worth Rs 4 millions, F/O gents cloth in ‘thans’ 2045 Kgs worth Rs 4.5 millions, Denyo Brand diesel generator 3 Nos made in Indonesia, F/O fuel tank each 400 liter capacity 3 Nos, F/O switch panel 3 Nos along with Mercedeze Benz truck No LES-13-2140 worth Rs 2 millions, F/O Shafoon ladies fabric 85030 Kgs worth Rs 187 millions and also impounded Toyota Premio X car bearing Registration No LE-12-147 silver colour model 2008 worth Rs 4 millions during the said period, he said.
Meanwhile, Field Intelligence Unit Sarai Muhajir seized miscellaneous goods along with trailer bearing registration no TLC-159 worth Rs 19 million. He revealed that the Director General Zahid Khokar has sought suggestion from all directorates to overcome the smuggling in country, adding that a durable policy will be designed to make an effective strategy in this regard.
The Customs Intelligence will share intelligence based information with other law enforcement agencies, he said adding that it has been decided to enhance cooperation with police, FC and Rangers. Negotiation with Motorways Police is also underway for intercepting the vehicles carrying smuggled goods on the information of the Customs Intelligence, he said.
The DG has asked all directorates to highlight the impediments to perform the professional duties and send a detailed report to his office, he said.
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