Smuggled betel nuts worth more than Rs10m seized

Seven major operations against betel nuts smuggling carried out this year, says Customs officer


Our Correspondent August 04, 2018
Smuggled goods seized by Customs anti-smuggling unit. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

KARACHI: Pakistan Customs claimed on Friday to have foiled a smuggling bid of areca nuts, commonly known as betel nuts, and other contraband goods worth millions of rupees in Karachi.

The goods were seized by a team of the anti-smuggling unit of Customs during a raid at a benami warehouse in the SITE area. Customs Preventive Collector Dr Iftikhar Ahmed informed media personnel during a press conference that a large consignment of betel nuts worth more than Rs10 million was recovered during the intelligence-based raid.

The raid was led by Anti-Smuggling Organisation Deputy Collector Muhammad Faisal who seized 25 tons of betel nuts and 23 tons of other material from the warehouse. According to Dr Ahmed, an investigation into the smuggling had been initiated with the warehouse's owner Sheikh Amir.

Dr Ahmed informed the media that at least seven major operations were carried out during the last six months, in which 500 tons of betel nuts were seized. He added that smuggling of betel nuts had increased since last year due to some restrictive measures. According to him, various channels were being used to smuggle betel nuts to Pakistan.

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The Customs Preventive collector informed the media about the department's efforts to curb smuggling. According to him, Customs had seized around 1.06 million litres of smuggled diesel in the current year, preventing a great loss to the national exchequer.

Luxury vehicles along with miscellaneous items worth Rs3.1 billion were also seized, said Dr Ahmed, adding that drugs measuring 8,566 kilogrammes and 79,572 bottles of liquor were also confiscated by Customs during various raids.

To a query regarding smuggling of mobile phones, Dr Ahmed said 63,500 mobile phones were recovered during various operations. He added that a few areas in the city had been spotted by Customs where smuggled goods were being kept. He also lauded the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies for helping Customs deal with smuggling.

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