LAHORE: Anti-smuggling wing of Model Customs Collectorate of Lahore has seized smuggled vehicles and goods worth Rs 264 million in 314 cases, attaining a growth of 12 per cent during the period from July 2013 to June 2014 against Rs 236 million in 263 cases during the similar period last fiscal year.
During the aforesaid period of the current fiscal year, Anti-smuggling wing seized vehicles worth Rs 38.4 million in 101 cases. While it impounded contrabands worth Rs 226 million in 213 cases.
In July 2013, the Customs Anti-smuggling department seized goods and articles worth Rs 45 million in 33 raids, while, in August 2013, the anti-smuggling wing in 28 cases confiscated goods and vehicles valued Rs 41 million.
In September 2013, 29 raids were undertaken by the Anti-smuggling scouts recovering vehicles and smuggled goods worth Rs 27 million, while, in October same year, the anti-smuggling unit conducted 27 raids, impounding vehicles and non-duty paid items worth Rs 19.69 million.
Likewise, during November 2013, the wing conducted 20 raids and seized vehicles and non-duty paid items worth Rs 13 million while in December 2013, the Anti-smuggling wing conducted 40 raids and confiscated vehicles and goods worth Rs 21 million.
The Anti-smuggling wing confiscated vehicles and contrabands worth Rs 19 million in 25 cases including four non duty paid vehicles during the month of January 2014.
The anti-smuggling unit conducted 39 raids seizing vehicles and goods worth Rs 16 million during the month of February this year. Customs officials seized 18 vehicles worth Rs 5 million and goods worth Rs 11 million in 21 raids.
Similarly, during March 2014, the wing seized vehicles and goods worth Rs 17.19 million in 33 cases of which the wing confiscated vehicles in 13 cases and goods in 20 cases.
During April 2014, the anti-smuggling scout confiscated vehicles and goods worth Rs 9.83 million in 13 cases. The wing seized one vehicle and impounded non duty paid articles in 12 raids.
The Anti smuggling wing seized vehicles and goods worth Rs 34.15 million in 27 cases during the month of May 2014. It seized 17 vehicles worth Rs 2.24 million while held goods and articles worth Rs 31 million in 10 cases.
Top officials in the Customs have lauded the performance of the Anti-smuggling wing. Officers have expressed appreciation for the anti-smuggling officers who have been able to show handsome growth in seizures as they have been performing despite the fact that there is great dearth of field force for the last many years.