Successful operation: Largest ever quantity of illegal goods seized

Action was taken after a tipoff that foreign smuggled goods were stored in Boulton Market.

KARACHI: Karachi directorate of customs intelligence and Sindh Rangers recovered a huge quantity of smuggled cigarettes, gutka and flavoured sheesha during a joint operation in Boulton Market.

Action was taken after a tipoff was received that foreign smuggled cigarettes and gutka were being stored illegally in different godowns in Boulton Market. A team of customs intelligence officials were selected to carry out the operation which included Haji Muhammad Aslam, Akmal Hashmi and Qasim Alvi, who were constituted under the supervision of deputy director Dr Ahsan Khan by director Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui after a consultation with Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan. Sindh Rangers were also requested to provide assistance during the crackdown.

Immediate action was taken for recovery of the smuggled goods after fulfilling the legal formalities under the Customs Act 1969.  Approximate value of the contraband goods taken into custody is Rs66million and it includes Benson Hedges, Dunhill, Pine and other foreign brands cigarettes concealed in 310 cartons.

According to the customs officials this is the largest quantity of smuggled gutka and cigarettes to be seized ever in a single operation by any agency.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2014.