ISLAMABAD: In two separate anti-smuggling operations, Customs staff of North Region posted at Dera Ismail Khan Customs (Enforcement) recovered 1,080 kilograms of hashish valuing Rs 330 million coming via Quetta road to Punjab side, and recovered Rs11,266,000 approximately (USD 68,700) from a Korean national at the international departure flight at the Islamabad International Airport.
According to the details, issued by the Customs Department here on Wednesday, the Customs staff had established 80 nakabandi on Quetta road near Daraband Town at night time. The truck was hinted to stop but on seeing the Customs staff, the driver did not stop and fled away. Consequently it was chased by the squad, the driver escaped in the dark, leaving the truck on the road side.
On cursory search on the spot the truck was empty, however, it was brought to the Customs office DI Khan and after thorough search, the side wall were opened with the help of cutters, which led to recovery of hashish, tactfully packed and concealed in containers built on the side walls of the trolley. The total quantity was confirmed as 1,080 kilogrammes. Representative samples were drawn from the lot for chemical analysis. The FIR in the case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Furthermore, during the clearance of passengers at the international departure flight at the Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, one passenger identified as, Hwang Sung Yoo, Koren national, was suspected and stopped at the joint checking counter. On examination, an amount of Rs11, 266,000 approximately (USD 68,700) was recovered from him. The amount has been seized, the FIR in the case under Customs Act, 1969 has been lodged, and the passenger has been arrested.
Further investigation in the case is being conducted.
Chief Collector Customs (North) Dr Asif Mahmood Jah appreciated the efforts and hard work of detecting staff and asserted that this spirit shall be kept alive by all enforcement staff in the region as well, so that the menace of smuggling could be curbed.
It is pertinent to mention that Syed Tariq Huda, Member-Customs (Operations), FBR has issued directions to all Chief Collectors Enforcement for ensuring strict enforcement of the Customs laws and utilizing all human and logistic resources and seize all sorts of smuggled goods entering from the borders.
He has also expressed zero tolerance for corruption among the ranks and files of Customs.
Despite the fact that western borders are closed, even then smuggled goods finds its way to consumption markets of the country. The federal government has placed more emphasis on the anti-smuggling. To this effect provincial and divisional-level task forces have been notified.
The Chief Collector Customs (North) recently convened the Provincial Level Task Force meeting in which senior representatives of 13 government agencies participated on anti-smuggling in Peshawar to review the progress on points discussed in the last meeting held; discuss strategy for effective implementation of the COVID-19 (Prevention of Smuggling) Ordinance, 2020, to curb smuggling as envisaged in the ordinance.