Customs destroys contraband goods worth over Rs3b

The Pakistan Customs Jinnah International Airport and the Enforcement Collectorate, as part of their anti-smuggling drive, seized and destroyed smuggled and prohibited goods worth over Rs3 billion.

The destroyed items included foreign liquor, beer cans, prohibited toys, tobacco products, cigarettes of various brands, Ajinomoto, naswar, pan parag, sheesha flavours and betel nut.

Addressing a ceremony, held in an open area of Gadap, Collector Customs Enforcement Moeenuddin Wani said, this was the third time within a year that confiscated prohibited items had been destroyed after completing all legal requirements.

He said, Pakistan Customs auctions confiscated usable goods, while prohibited and hazardous items are destroyed in accordance with the law.

The collector said the destruction of confiscated cigarettes was carried out in strict compliance with international and local regulations. He added that customs officials often face strong resistance during enforcement operations, but despite this, anti-smuggling activities continue with dedication and professionalism.

Wani said that young female customs officers had been participating in anti-smuggling operations for the past five years, reflecting the department’s growing operational capacity and capability. He also acknowledged the full cooperation of law enforcement agencies, particularly the Sindh Rangers, in Customs’ enforcement efforts.

The collector said that 23 AI-based digital Customs Enforcement Stations were being established across the country to curb smuggling effectively. Of these, three AI-based digital enforcement stations will be set up in Karachi and linked with data from the Excise Department and NADRA.

Speaking on the occasion, Collector Customs Jinnah International Airport Collectorate, Saadia Shiraz said that between a period from 2022 to 2025, the Airport Collectorate had destroyed confiscated goods worth Rs325.9 million.

The disposed items included 17,000 bottles of foreign liquor, 2,360 beer cans, 1,000 prohibited toys, tobacco products, sheesha and hookah items, gutka, pan supari and 311 cartons of cigarettes of various brands.