Customs foils smuggling bids worth over Rs154m across Balochistan

Mettis Global reported that customs enforcement officers in Gadani seized smuggled goods valued at over Rs154 mn across several districts of Balochistan, counting the transport used to move them. The operations were intelligence-led and were run by the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani, alongside other law-enforcement agencies, according to a press release.

The largest case involved two passenger buses halted in the Lasbela area by a Field Enforcement Unit Khurkhera team working with the Intelligence Bureau in Hub. Searches uncovered betel nuts of foreign origin, cosmetics, cigarettes, gutka from India and parachute fabric concealed in purpose-built compartments within the vehicles, a haul valued above Rs130 mn with the carriers included. Separately, a Mobile Enforcement Unit in Hub searched a storage facility and confiscated polyethylene shopping sacks along with skimmed milk powder, valued at approximately Rs20 mn. The items were transferred to the State Warehouse in Gadani under the set procedure.

A Field Enforcement Unit Gwadar team stopped 750 kg of smuggled Iranian edible oil during a check on the Coastal Highway, a consignment of about Rs4 mn packed in 150 five-kilogram tins. Pakistan Customs said it would pursue joint, data-driven actions across the region to curb unlawful flows of contraband and shield lawful commerce and the wider economy.