Medicine smuggling bid foiled

LAHORE: Customs authorities at Allama Iqbal International Airport thwarted a medicine smuggling bid on Monday morning.

The operation was carried out on the directives of Collector Customs Tayyaba Kiani. The authorities intercepted a passenger identified as Zohaib Shams, who arrived from Jeddah on flight SV734 and Customs officials recovered a large cache of smuggled drugs from him. The seized medicines included drugs for cancer treatment and kidney transplants and were being transported without proper clearance from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

Talking to reporters, Collector Customs Tayyaba Kiani expressed her apprehension and said the confiscated drugs appeared false and can harm patients. She said the operation was conducted under the provisions of Sections 15, 16, and 168 of the Customs Act 1969 and the Passenger Baggage Rules 2006.

The accused was handed over to the Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) Wing for further proceedings. Spokesperson for Lahore Airport Customs Asif Nawaz lauded the efforts of customs officials. He said the Collector Customs has instructed all officials to remain vigilant and intensify efforts to root out smuggling completely.