Attempt to smuggle usable batteries under the guise of scrap foiled in Karachi

Customs officials seized 8 containers, carrying 6,748 reusable batteries, valued at Rs 134.9 million.

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Customs authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle usable batteries under the guise of scrap.

The importer, Century Engineering, had cleared 8 containers of scrap batteries. Acting on a tip-off from intelligence agencies, Collector Enforcement Moin Uddin Wani formed a special team under the leadership of Deputy Collector Enforcement Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi, which intensified the monitoring of the scrap batteries cleared from ICT.

Sources stated that on November 24, consignments cleared by Messrs Century Engineering Private Limited were stopped at the West Wharf ICI Bridge.

The clearing agent's representative, Abdul Aziz, was asked for the consignment documents and other details. He showed three goods declarations filed with the Customs Department, which listed the items as scrap batteries.

According to the documents, 8 containers of scrap batteries had been cleared through the green channel. The importer had moved one container to his warehouse located on Northern Bypass. Authorities have seized the 8 containers, valued at Rs 4 million.

Inspection and laboratory testing confirmed that 6,748 batteries, valued at Rs 134.9 million, were reusable. Authorities have filed a case against the relevant clearing agent and the importing company and initiated an investigation.

The seized goods have been transferred to the ASO Customs warehouse.

It is worth noting that under the import policy, the import of old and used batteries is prohibited in the country. However, despite this, the said importer attempted to clear the reusable batteries by declaring them as battery scrap.

Earlier the Sindh Rangers and Customs Enforcement recovered non-customs-paid (NCP) goods worth Rs 100 million during a joint operation in the Bolton Market area of Kharadar.

Acting on tip-off, a contingent of Rangers and Customs officials raided warehouses at Yousaf Plaza in Bolton Market.

The operation yielded a huge quantity of smuggled items, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, shisha flavours, watches, chocolates, soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and various food products.

The seized goods, concealed in different warehouses, were transported using 12 Mazda trucks and handed over to Customs Enforcement for further legal proceedings. A spokesperson for the Sindh Rangers urged the public to report such illegal activities