Five officials among seven booked in Customs scam

LAHORE:A case has been registered against five customs officials and two private persons as a large-scale embezzlement scandal involving theft and replacement of seized foreign goods, particularly Iranian-origin smuggled dry milk, has come to light at Customs State Warehouse on Canal Bund Road.

Inspector Faisal Liaqat (Seizing Officer), Superintendent Muhammad Asghar Puryal (Custodian), Lady Inspector Rida Hassan (Deputy Custodian), sepoys Muhammad Talha and Muhammad Shoaib, and private individuals Asif Manzoor and Masjid Manzoor of Sheikhupura have been booked in the case.

According to official documents submitted by Custodian of Customs Javed Iqbal to the Superintendent, Customs Investigation & Prosecution Cell, it is alleged that in collusion with enforcement staff, a significant portion of seized contraband was misappropriated and illegally moved to two private warehouses in Sheikhupura. The fraud was reportedly carried out by several customs officials and staff for personal financial gain. Acting on the directions of the Collector of Customs (Enforcement), a detailed inspection of the warehouse was conducted. On the night between March 28 and 29, 2025, the Anti-Smuggling Unit of Customs recovered a substantial quantity of dry milk, which was immediately transferred to the State Warehouse. A follow-up inquiry on April 22, 2025, revealed that out of 7,294 seized bags of Iranian dry milk (each weighing 25 kg), 1,632 bags had been tampered with. The tampered bags were reportedly filled with worthless materials such as sawdust and chalk powder, replacing the original milk powder. The estimated value of the misappropriated goods stands at Rs 46.47 million, with an additional recovery of 377 original bags valued at Rs10.73 million. The total estimated customs duty loss to the national exchequer is reported to be over Rs57 million. They are accused of criminal conspiracy, tampering with seized goods, destroying warehouse CCTV systems, and violating multiple provisions of the Customs Act, 1969 and CGO 12/2002. An FIR has been registered on the directions of Collector Customs (Enforcement) Saeed Wattoo. Several Customs personnel, including inspectors, warehouse custodians, sepoys, and external facilitators, have been named in the FIR.

Talking to The News, Collector Saeed Wattoo said: "We believe in zero tolerance against corrupt mafias, smugglers, and black sheep within the department. On my direction, an FIR has been lodged. The accused will be arrested, and the stolen items will be recovered from them. They will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law."