Customs staff posted at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday foiled an attempt of smuggling 225 bottles of foreign branded liquor brought from Dubai through a private airliner, and arrested two accused on the spot.
Addressing a news conference in his office Deputy Collector Customs Nadeem Ahsan said that the customs staff received an information that some passengers travelling from Dubai by Aero Asia flight No E4-445 were carrying bags, in which liquor had been concealed.
Following the information, the customs staff of Airport Traffic was made alert to apprehend the culprits. At About 10:10 am, the flight landed at the airport and on suspicion, two passengers were intercepted by the Customs officials, he added. Upon thorough search of their baggage, 225 bottles of foreign origin liquor of assorted brand were recovered, and both the accused were arrested. The accused were identified as Azhar Iqbal and Muhammad Azam.
About the value of the seized liquor Nadeem Ahsan told representatives of print and electronic media that it was Rs 700,000/- in the local market. He further said that two criminal cases have also been registered against the accused under the provision of Customs Act, 1969, and further investigations are being conducted by the staff of Investigations and Prosecution Branch, Customs House Lahore.
It may be recalled that about a week ago, the customs traffic staff had aborted an attempt of smuggling of liquor to Pakistan via an Aero Asia flight. It was also reported that the airline staff was involved in the smuggling bid.
About the possibility of linkage between these two cases and involvement of a particular gang in both the cases, Nadeem said: "I do not know whether there is any nexus between the two cases."
To another question about co-operation of the agencies deputed at the airport, he said that there were five or six agencies, which were working at the airport in areas of their domain and Customs responsibility starts from the area falling outside the apron.
However, he pointed out that a fortnightly meeting of all such agencies is held where problems, including those relating to mutual co-operation to curb the practices of outlaws are discussed.
About reports of smuggling under the cover of protocol and involvement of customs staff in such practices he said that he was not aware of it and in the last six months no such incident has happened. "But personally I am very convinced that no official of Customs or any other agency would like to put his reputation and career at stake for sake of just one bottle of liquor," he remarked.
Later, the accused told mediamen that another four persons accompanied them but sensing fear at the airport they managed to escape. They further said that Farooq Butt of Lahore had paid them 3,00 dirham each for taking the liquor to Pakistan from Dubai.
AUCTION OF VEHICLES: The Collectorate of Customs Lahore fetched Rs 64.71 million through auction of confiscated vehicles in the year 2004-2005, which is a record in its history, Nadeem Ahsan, Deputy Collector (Headquarters) Customs said. He said that last financial year's figure stood at Rs 42 million.