Customs foils betel nut smuggling bid

Pakistan Customs Port Qasim export collectorate foiled on Saturday a bid to smuggle betel nuts, being imported under the guise of goods of domestic use.

According to sources in the Customs, the importers had received two consignments from Saudi Arabia several months ago, but had not filed goods declaration yet to get clearance for the imported items.

The Customs officials sent a letter to the consignees after the expiry of the deadline for filing a declaration, but they didn't respond, said the sources, who requested anonymity.

When Customs officials examined the said consignments, they found over 26 tonnes of betel nuts along with water dispensers, shoes, mattresses, exercise machines, furniture and several other household goods, according to the sources.

Customs officials confiscated all the goods, including betel nuts worth Rs31.49 million. They have booked the consignees in a smuggling case.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2020.