Spurious medicines’ smuggling bid foiled

LAHORE:Acting on a tip-off, the Customs officials thwarted a major attempt to smuggle counterfeit medicines into the provincial capital at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Monday.

According to sources, smugglers tried to smuggle a large quantity of fake medicines and injections into the city. The operation was carried out after heightened surveillance was placed on a passenger arriving from Turkey. Upon inspection, officials recovered a significant quantity of various types of medicines and injections hidden cleverly inside the passenger’s luggage.

The seized drugs are estimated to be worth over Rs10 million. The passenger, identified as Abid Hussain, arrived in Lahore on Gulf International Airlines flight GF766 via Bahrain, having boarded flight GF46 from Turkey.

During initial interrogation, Abid confessed to his involvement in the smuggling attempt. Customs authorities have registered a case against Abid and eight other suspects under various sections of the Customs Act.

Following the incident, Collector Tayyaba Kiyani directed the staff to remain on high alert and ensure zero tolerance against the smuggling of fake medicines and other contraband items. The operations against smugglers will continue under the zero-tolerance policy, she added.