Black money generated at Jam ‘bus terminal’: Police said to be seeking share

SHO says the illegal warehouse falls out of the station’s jurisdiction.

PESHAWAR:

The police want a share of the black money being generated from Jam Bus Terminal, which is actually a warehouse for smuggled goods.

At least 10 police officials visit the terminal every day to extort money from those running the business, said a smuggler familiar with the matter. “They come and extort Rs200 to Rs500 depending on their rank and numbers.”

SHO Ateeq Khan of Gulbahar police said that the illegal warehouse falls out of their jurisdiction, even though the activity takes place a few hundred meters from the police station. “We can neither seize the goods nor register an FIR against the smugglers involved. It is the duty of excise and custom officers to do so,” said the SHO.

Police officials have been assigned duties on both gates of the terminal, yet the business goes unchecked because smugglers routinely pay bribes to them.

Two police officials stationed behind the terminal said they paid Rs15,000 to get transferred to Gulbahar police station because they earn more through extorting money from the smugglers.

“They are willing paying us up to Rs500 for each bus carrying around Rs1 million worth of smuggled goods. We at least deserve this much,” said one of them while justifying their actions.

The smugglers “now know how to deal with the police” and the smuggled goods rarely ever get seized.

“It is an organised business where nothing gets lost,” said a bus driver at the terminal, Sahib Jan Afridi, while pointing to the stock of smuggled goods.

“The dealers cut business deals themselves or through trusted associates in the black markets of Jam and Luwarge areas of Khyber agency. The goods are then given to agents who deliver it to buyers in settled areas.”

During a recent visit to the bus terminal, stocks of goods being smuggled from tribal areas could be seen. These included high quality fabric, black tea, green cardamom, baby diapers, toilet papers, thermoses, and spare parts of imported vehicles among other things. The items are destined for markets in Peshawar and the rest of the country.

Delivery agents have fixed prices based on the products and risks involved. To deliver imported fabric to markets in Peshawar, they charge between Rs2 and Rs5 per metre, while large diaper bags can fetch as much as Rs700. Rates for delivering spare parts of imported vehicles can go up to Rs10,000.

“In the smuggling business, everyone – from the driver and cart pusher to customs officials and agents – gets their share. Why is it wrong for the police to get their share if we are providing security?” questioned one of the two police officials stationed at the terminal.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2012.