MULTAN: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation seized huge quantity of betel nuts, gutka and others in their action on Wednesday.
Deputy Director Khial Muhammad Khan told Customs Today that he received credible information from his source that huge quantity of contraband items would be smuggled through jurisdiction. He immediately alerted the Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Dera Ghazi Khan to enhance monitoring of suspected routes to foil any bid of smuggling in the region.
Customs Intelligence formed special team including Inspector Mohsin Shah, Inspector Umer, Inspector Amjad Pervaiz, Inspector Zafar Iqbal, Zulfiqar and others to take action against smuggled goods. Following the directions, the team intercepted a suspected truck near Dera Ghazi Khan Taunsa Road which was loaded with huge quantity of betel nuts, gutka, chewing tobacco and others.
Field Intelligence Unit of Dera Ghazi Khan recovered 38000 kilograms of betel nuts and other contraband goods in their action. The origin of recovered contraband items was India and they were smuggled through Afghanistan.
During investigations the driver of the vehicle told them that truck was coming from Quetta and its final destination was Lahore. Truck driver presented booking receipt of said goods to Customs Intelligence staff. Customs Intelligence unit of Dera Ghazi Khan seized the entire betel nuts and shifted the betel nuts along with truck to Customs Intelligence State Warehouse Rajanpur.
The value of the seized betel nuts was almost Rs 10 million. Customs Intelligence seized the goods under Customs Act 1969 and further investigations regarding the betel nuts are still under process.