Customs seizes smuggled betel nuts worth Rs14.2m

Pakistan Customs Enforcement officials on Monday claimed to have seized a large quantity of smuggled betel nuts worth millions of rupees.

According to Syed Irfan Ali, spokesperson for Customs, the operation was conducted following a tip-off received by Collector Customs Enforcement Karachi, Moinuddin Wani. Acting on the information, Customs personnel stationed at the Hamdard Check Post on the Northern Bypass intercepted a dumper truck bearing registration number TLK 144, which was en route from Balochistan to Karachi.

During the inspection, the truck was found to be smuggling hazardous betel nuts (commonly known as chaliya), concealed beneath a layer of crushed stones. The Customs team successfully recovered 240 bags of betel nuts, weighing approximately 4.8 tons (4,800 kg), with an estimated value of Rs4.8 million.

In addition to the contraband, the dumper truck used in the smuggling attempt — valued at Rs10 million — was also confiscated. The total worth of the seized goods and vehicle amounts to Rs14.2 million. The recovered items had been transferred to the Anti-Smuggling Organisation warehouse. A case has been registered under the Customs Act, and further legal proceedings are currently underway.