MULTAN: Collectorate of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) seized huge quantity of foreign origin dates during their action from Chichawatni.
According to details, Collectorate of Multan Customs received credible information from their source that huge quantity of foreign origin dates will be transported from jurisdiction. Multan Customs formed anti-smuggling squad to seize non-duty paid dates. In pursuance of the said information, anti-smuggling squad started patrolling in the suspected areas to foil any attempt of smuggling.
Customs Anti-Smuggling team intercepted a Mazda truck near Chichawatni which was loaded with foreign origin dates and it was coming from Balochistan to deliver in the South Punjab region.
Anti-Smuggling Squad asked drivers of the said container 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 5120 kilograms of foreign origin dates. The intercepted dates were Iranian origin and they were transporting it for supplying in local markets due to extra demand in holy month of Ramzan.
Sources told Customs Today that smuggling of dates has also been accelerated in the jurisdiction due to its demand. Multan Customs has taken the dates into their custody. The value of the said dates was almost Rs 800,000 during their action. Further investigation was still underway in this case.