Party’s over: Customs foil liquor smuggling bid
The recovered liquor, seized by the Model Collectorate of Customs (MCC) Preventive, is worth Rs34 million in Pakistan
Officials presenting liquor bottles that were seized by Model Collectorate of Customs, when they were being smuggled into the city. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Customs, Karachi, claim to have foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign liquor into the metropolis.
The recovered liquor, seized by the Model Collectorate of Customs (MCC) Preventive, is worth Rs34 million in Pakistan, it was revealed. A total of 8,413 bottles of liquor were recovered from the city's outskirts when it was being smuggled into the city.
The recovery was declared at a press conference at Pakistan Customs Office on Tuesday, where Muhammad Moazzam Raza, the deputy collector of Customs preventive headquarters, informed the media about the smuggling attempt.
Hot chase: Coast guard seize liquor shipment
He said credible information was received that an attempt would be made to smuggle a huge quantity of foreign liquor from the western coast of Karachi through the Arabian Sea. He added that as a result, Customs officials began strict patrolling along the coastal belt, especially in the area of Mubarak Village up to Hawkes Bay Road.
"On January 15, while extensive patrolling was being maintained in the area, two loaded trucks were seen speedily coming from Mubarak Village and heading towards the city, being escorted by four motorcyclists," he explained. "These trucks were cautioned to stop but instead they accelerated and also tried to hit the Customs vehicle."
Raza said during the pursuit, both trucks reached Lal Bhakkar, from where one of the roads leads towards RCD Highway. Several warning shots were fired, which ultimately forced the trucks to stop. However, the drivers managed to flee on the escorting motorcyclists, taking advantage of darkness and difficult terrain. Both the trucks were taken over by drivers of the Customs team, he said.
"Both the trucks were found laden with gunny bags using cover load of cardboard carton bundles," said the deputy collector. "All the gunny bags were cut open and detailed examination was carried out, which resulted in the recovery of 8,413 bottles of foreign liquor." Customs officials said this is yet another successful attempt by Customs staff, which prevented the smuggling of such a huge quantity of liquor, having street value of Rs34 million, as earlier this month, they seized over 21 metric tons of acetic anhydride, valuing more than Rs860 million. Acetic anhydride is used as the major precursor for production of heroin and is also one of the major chemicals used in the manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2016.
The Pakistan Customs, Karachi, claim to have foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign liquor into the metropolis.
The recovered liquor, seized by the Model Collectorate of Customs (MCC) Preventive, is worth Rs34 million in Pakistan, it was revealed. A total of 8,413 bottles of liquor were recovered from the city's outskirts when it was being smuggled into the city.
The recovery was declared at a press conference at Pakistan Customs Office on Tuesday, where Muhammad Moazzam Raza, the deputy collector of Customs preventive headquarters, informed the media about the smuggling attempt.
Hot chase: Coast guard seize liquor shipment
He said credible information was received that an attempt would be made to smuggle a huge quantity of foreign liquor from the western coast of Karachi through the Arabian Sea. He added that as a result, Customs officials began strict patrolling along the coastal belt, especially in the area of Mubarak Village up to Hawkes Bay Road.
"On January 15, while extensive patrolling was being maintained in the area, two loaded trucks were seen speedily coming from Mubarak Village and heading towards the city, being escorted by four motorcyclists," he explained. "These trucks were cautioned to stop but instead they accelerated and also tried to hit the Customs vehicle."
Raza said during the pursuit, both trucks reached Lal Bhakkar, from where one of the roads leads towards RCD Highway. Several warning shots were fired, which ultimately forced the trucks to stop. However, the drivers managed to flee on the escorting motorcyclists, taking advantage of darkness and difficult terrain. Both the trucks were taken over by drivers of the Customs team, he said.
"Both the trucks were found laden with gunny bags using cover load of cardboard carton bundles," said the deputy collector. "All the gunny bags were cut open and detailed examination was carried out, which resulted in the recovery of 8,413 bottles of foreign liquor." Customs officials said this is yet another successful attempt by Customs staff, which prevented the smuggling of such a huge quantity of liquor, having street value of Rs34 million, as earlier this month, they seized over 21 metric tons of acetic anhydride, valuing more than Rs860 million. Acetic anhydride is used as the major precursor for production of heroin and is also one of the major chemicals used in the manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2016.