MULTAN: Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization seized huge quantity of foreign origin dates during their action from Dera Ghazi Khan.
According to details, Collectorate of Customs Preventive received credible information from their source that huge quantity of foreign origin dates will be transported from jurisdiction. Deputy Collector Saqib-ur-Rehman Warraich constituted special anti-smuggling squad to seized huge quantity of non-duty paid dates. In pursuance of the said information, anti-smuggling squad took action against them and Customs Anti-Smuggling Squad started patrolling in the suspected areas to foil any attempt of smuggling.
Customs anti-smuggling team intercepted a Mazda truck near Dera Ghazi Khan Taunsa Road which was loaded with foreign origin dates and it was coming from Baluchistan to deliver in the South Punjab region.
Anti-smuggling squad asked drivers of the said truck to produce import documents but they failed to produce any evidence of import documents. Thorough search of the container was conducted in presence of drivers which led to the recovery of approximately 6000 kilograms of foreign origin dates. The intercepted dates were Iranian origin and they were transporting it for supplying in the local markets due to extra demand in South Punjab.
Sources told Customs Today that smuggling of fruits including dates, apples have been accelerated up in the jurisdiction due to its demand. Multan Customs has taken the dates into their custody which were almost Rs4.5 million along with truck during their action. Further investigation was still underway.