KARACHI: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigatio (I&I) has seized 17 tons of Indian origin artificial jewelry worth Rs29 million, and betel nut worth Rs21 million.
Sourcest old that after the directives of Abdul Rasheed Sheikh, Director General, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation to curb the menace of smuggling, the Director, Dr. Sadiqullah Khan instructed the staff to keep extra-vigilance against the organized smuggling of goods.
The Incharge of ASO of the Directorate was already directed to conduct active surveillance on the movements of smuggling of suspected foreign origin goods.
Consequently, acting on information that consignment of Indian origin artificial imitation jewellery through mis-declaration of origin would be transported from Quetta to Karachi via National Highway.
The ASO team of Hyderabad intercepted a 22 wheeler Trailer mounted with Iranian Container from National Highway near Saeedabad Toll Plaza, district Matiyari. Cursory checking revealed that the trailer/container was loaded with cartons of Indian origin artificial imitation jewellery. The driver of the trailer produced import documents which did not tally with the recovered goods. The team of ASO Hyderabad took over the possession of the trailer loaded with smuggled goods into custody and brought to the office of the Directorate Hyderabad. Detailed examination of the recovered goods has resulted into recovery of 382 cartons of Indian origin artificial imitation jewellery weighing approximately 17 tons.
Moreover, the Indian origin artificial imitation jewellery, import of which in terms of Import Policy Order, 2016 read with SRO 927(1)/2019 is banned was cleared by misdeclaring its description, origin and quantity. The current market value of the recovered Jewellery is approximately Rs29 million and that of vehicle is Rs6 million.
In another operation, ASO Sukkur successfully conducted an Intelligence Based Operation with the coordination of Pakistan Rangers Jacobabad and seized apprehended a 10 wheeler Hino Truck near Gari Kheri District Larkana and recovered 14 tons of betel nut worth Rs.21 million and vehicle’s value is Rs.4.5 million.
Customs I&I after registering separate cases against accused persons started investigations.