KARACHI: In a series of successful operations, Pakistan Customs has dealt a significant blow to the illegal tobacco trade, seizing a substantial quantity of smuggled cigarettes valued at a staggering Rs. 62.12 million over the past four days.

The Collectorate Customs Enforcement, Karachi, spearheaded these raids, leading to the recovery of large quantities of illicit tobacco products.

The latest operations conducted by the Directorate have resulted in the confiscation of 650,000 cigarette sticks, worth Rs 35 million, in two separate raids carried out within the past 24 hours.

Acting on a tip-off, the customs officials launched investigations, which led them to discover that a significant amount of smuggled cigarettes had been stashed in the Bolton Market and Saddar areas of Karachi.

Prompt action was taken, resulting in the successful recovery of the illicit tobacco products during the conducted raids.

Consequently, legal proceedings have been initiated, and further investigations are currently underway to uncover the individuals responsible for this smuggling operation.

In another operation on June 6, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Karachi, carried out four separate raids, leading to the seizure of a substantial quantity of smuggled cigarettes, Sheesha flavour, vape flavour, cigars, and cigar filters with an estimated value of Rs. 27.12 million. These raids targeted different

locations within Karachi, where the illegal goods were being stored.

The confiscated items encompassed a wide assortment of cigarette brands, including Royal, Business, Camel, Mond, and Pine, totalling a remarkable 691,060 sticks.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023