Probe ordered against officials for ‘clearing’ smuggled items

Customs officials confiscate 199 smuggled mobile phones at Islamabad airport

RAWALPINDI:

Two officials of the Anti-Narcitics Force (ANF) and Customs posted at the Islamabad International Airport have been summoned for an investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting mobile phone smugglers.

Earlier, Customs officials confiscated a total of 119 iPhones and other accessories at the Islamabad airport and arrested two passengers, who arrived on a Pakistan International Airline flight (PK-182) from Sharjah.

The Customs officials at the arrival lounge intercepted two passengers namely Fayyaz Siddique, a resident of Lahore and Imran Tahir, a resident of Mandi Bahawaldin along with 199 iPhones worth over Rs 20 million. Preliminary inquiry revealed that some officials of the ANF and Customs were allegedly involved in clearing the smuggled mobile phones through the Customs desk.

Sources said that an inquiry has also been ordered against two officials of the ANF and the Customs.

Earlier, Customs Inspector Faraz Hussain posted at the Islamabad Airport filed a case with the Customs Investigation and Prosecution Cell stating that two passengers, Imran Tahir and Fayyaz Siddique were stopped on their suspicious activities. During the search of the passengers, 104 four expensive mobile phones were recovered from Fayaz's luggage, while 95 mobile phones were recovered from the luggage of Imran Tahir. A total of 199 non-duty-paid mobile phones worth over Rs20 million were recovered from the two passengers and they were arrested.

During the preliminary investigation, the accused Fayaz revealed that he had handed over a shopping bag with a tag of “Duty-Free Shop Dubai” to an unknown person. With the help of CCTV footage, the person in question has been identified as Zulaiqar, who is an ANF official. When an attempt was made to investigate the ANF official, 20 to 25 ANF personnel posted at the airport put up strong resistance and the official named Zulfiqar could not be arrested, sources said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2023.