Customs seize smuggled betel nuts

KARACHI:

Pakistan Customs authorities conducted a significant raid in the Napier Road area of the city, resulting in the seizure of a substantial quantity of smuggled betel nuts and Kattha (Catechu).

The Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) of Pakistan Customs initiated a raid on a shop located at Napier Road. During this operation, they uncovered 5600 kg of Kattha (Catechu) and 1860 kg of smuggled betel nuts. The total value of the confiscated items was estimated at Rs. 6.1 million. These seized goods have been transferred to the ASO godown, and a legal case has been registered, with further legal proceedings underway.

Cops catch gutka supplier

Police arrested Moula Bakhsh and Muhammad Amir on charges of supplying cancer-causing tobacco chews gutka and mawa in Chakiwara. Police recovered 534 kilogrammes of betel nuts and 11.5kgs of prepared gutka and mawa from them. Two other accomplices managed to evade capture, and a search operation is underway. A legal case has been filed, and further investigations are ongoing.

Rangers crack down on smugglers

The paramilitary force, Sindh Rangers, conducted these operations across various areas of the city, including Mehran Town, Shahnawaz Bhutto Colony, Baldia Town, Hub check post, Hub River Road, Naya Nazimabad, Orangi, and other locations, as well as the Abdul Jabbar check post in Jacobabad.

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During these operations, the Rangers seized 9559 litres of Iranian diesel/petrol, two pumping machines, 530 kg of Indian gutka, a Suzuki vehicle, a car, four motorcycles, and two trucks. The 12 arrested individuals were identified as Asif Shah, Saeedullah, Muhammad Salman, Sanaullah, Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Imran, Saqib Hussain, Siraj Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Shahid Zaman, Haq Nawaz, and Abbas. The seized goods and arrested suspects have been handed over to Pakistan Customs authorities for further legal proceedings.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.