Efforts afoot to curb smuggling of Iranian oil

Customs seizes illegal goods worth Rs1 billion in last three months

QUETTA: Quetta Model Customs Collectorate Additional Collector Yasir Kalwar on Saturday said the customs and law enforcement agencies are committed to curb and stop the smuggling of Iranian oil into Balochistan.

"Attempt to smuggle cigarettes worth Rs40 million from Kandahar through Afghan transit trade to India was foiled. The customs authorities have seized illegal goods worth Rs1 billion in the last three months," said Kalwar during a press conference at Model Customs Collectorate in Quetta. Deputy Collector Imran Afzal and Balochistan Customs spokesperson Dr Atta Barech also accompanied him.

Kalwar said customs, police, Levies force and the Frontier Corps were trying to curb smuggling of Iranian oil into Balochistan, despite limited resources.

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"There are difficulties but efforts are being made to curtail smuggling of Iranian oil. At least 2 raids have been conducted in the recent days against diesel smuggling.”

He said the authorities were informed that the Afghan transit trade from Kandahar to Delhi was intercepted.

“India was trying to smuggle cigarettes in an onion truck, which was blocked by custom authorities at Yaru Check Post in Pishin,” he added. "Investigation has been launched as an FIR is lodged in this regard. The cigarettes are worth Rs40 million.”

The additional collector said the Customs have also seized 12 non-custom paid vehicles from Quetta during an operation in the last couple of days. "Law enforcement agencies are working on controlling smuggling with a strong determination. A comprehensive campaign will also be launched in this regard," he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2019.