Smuggled goods worth Rs3.79bn seized in 2023

LAHORE:During the period of July-December, 2023, the Directorate of anti-smuggling wing of Customs Intelligence Lahore framed 234 seizure cases of record value Rs3.790 billion compared to the previous year period of July-December of Rs3.336 billion which is increase of more than 13.5 percent.

According to Ch Rizwan Bashir Kalair, Additional Director, Custom Intelligence, Lahore broke all record of seizures in second quarter of 2022-23 by seizing goods worth Rs2.365 billion. However, this year even surpassed that best ever quarter by record 23 percent by seizing goods worth Rs2.904 billion. This is best ever quarter record in the history of the Lahore region. 

The Directorate also created record for highest seizures in a month by seizing goods and vehicles with Rs1.703bn in October, 2023, improving previous best was record of Rs1.231 billion, with an increase of 38 percent. According to Additional Director of the Directorate of I&I-Customs, Lahore on specific tip of provided by an Intelligence Agency conducted the comprehensive operation and raided 14 different illegal oil pumping and storage sites in Machikey, Sargodha Road, Sheikhupura, and recovered foreign origin petrol 1,754,000 litre, diesel 34,000 litre along with 27 carrier vehicles and five static tanks total valuing Rs1.118 million. Customs Intelligence in operations against smuggling recovered cigarettes and other contraband goods valuing around Rs400m. Rizwan Bashir said that a major crackdown was initiated against mafia involved in the smuggling of diesel and petrol jointly with Intelligence agencies. According to him, the gangs involved in smuggling of petrol, tyres (Afghan Transit) and cigarettes were busted and criminal cases initiated against accused persons. He shared that 52 FIRs were registered and 32 were arrested by the Customs. He said that enforcement wing registered cases involving Duty & Taxes of Rs1.034 billion. During the July-December, 2023, the revenue realised by the enforcement branch was about Rs56 million, against Rs18.7m recovered in the previous year, which is increase of +200%.