HYDERABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Hyderabad, Customs Preventive Sukkur Division, took into possession 54 non-duty-paid smuggling rolls, 2,550 yards of curtain cloths and blankets valued at Rs2.3million including duties and taxes during an action by Customs checkpost -Sukkur four days ago.
Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad Akhlaq Ahmed Khattaq had directed his staff to stop the smuggling in the region. The customs authorities received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of said items. The authorities formed a team, comprising of ASO Customs Preventive Sukkur In-Charge, Customs Check-Post and Inspectors, Sepoys and a Driver, which participated in the execution of the operation.
The ASO team intercepted a transport vehicle near Customs checkpost-Sukkur and recovered the abovementioned contraband items.
Prior to the recovery of goods, the officials asked the driver for producing documents regarding the legal import of the items but he could not prove anything lawful. So the team took the items into possession under the customs bylaws.
A case was registered against the accused and sent to the customs adjudication for further legal action. The ASO deposited the confiscated goods in Sukkur-Larkana division State Warehouse.
Officials said that Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq had directed that effective steps be taken for preventing the smuggling in the region. They added that the anti-smuggling officials had enhanced the vigilance on roads to keep an eye on the movement of the contraband items and the NDP vehicles.