Contraband worth Rs3.8b confiscated in three-month crackdown

235 cases related to irregularities and customs violations were filed against smugglers from Oct to Dec 2023

LAHORE:

In a major crackdown over the last three months, Customs Intelligence has uncovered significant duty and tax evasion, confiscating contraband items valued at Rs3.8 billion.

The seized items include Rs636 million worth of Iranian petrol, 115 non-custom paid vehicles, 8 million cigarettes, auto parts, home appliances, and tires valued at hundreds of millions of rupees. The total value of the confiscated smuggled items reached Rs3,790 million, reflecting a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

The crackdown, labelled the "Super Quarter" for October to November, yielded remarkable results, with the seizure of Rs2,904 million worth of smuggled items and a notable exposure of duties and tax evasion. In total, 235 cases related to irregularities and customs violations were filed against smugglers from October to December 2023.

The operations contributed to a revenue gain of Rs56 million, marking a significant 200 per cent increase from the previous quarter.

Revenue generated from vehicle auctions reached Rs300 million, representing a 32 per cent increase from the preceding quarter. During the quarter 115 non-customs paid vehicles valued at Rs982 million were seized, surpassing figures from the corresponding period in the previous year.

Read also: Customs seized goods worth Rs6b over last six months

In addition to these seizures, the operations yielded the confiscation of 576 mobile phones and a considerable quantity of home appliances. The intercepted smuggled items ranged from auto parts and tires to cloth, dry fruits, betelnuts, Sheesha flavours, shoes, and garments.

The operations against smugglers were executed under the supervision of Additional Director Customs Intelligence Rizwan Bashir.

Director Customs Intelligence, Haris Ansari, lauded the accomplishment of seizing 15 per cent more contraband than the last half-year, highlighting the team's dedication even in the face of resource constraints, a total of 235 cases were registered against smugglers.

Additional Director Chaudhry Rizwan Bashir underscored the importance of extensive collaborative efforts in the fight against smuggling. These operations included the active participation of the police, intelligence bureau, and various institutions, strategically targeting smuggling hubs without external pressures.

He spotlighted the dismantling of a smuggling network that exploited the Afghan transit trade, resulting in the apprehension of several individuals involved in illicit activities.