Suspect killed in action against smuggling of hazardous waste

The Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) of the Pakistan Customs Enforcement Karachi intercepted a suspicious vehicle during an operation based on a tip-off in the early hours of Monday.

Customs spokesman Syed Irfan Ali said the operation was carried out at around 3:40am near Boat Basin. The occupants of the vehicle resisted arrest, resulting in a violent clash. A constable of the ASO team got into a scuffle with a suspect. In view of the immediate danger, the constable opened fire, resulting in a suspect being severely wounded. He was taken to the hospital. He appeared to be around 30 years old.

According to initial reports, the suspects hail from Balochistan and may be associated with an organised smuggling network. The wounded suspect’s companions tried to chase and attack the Customs officials.

The crowd present at the spot also caused an uproar, turning an already tense situation worse, causing difficulties in the Customs officials’ search of the suspects’ vehicle. The vehicle was then shifted to the Customs House, where its detailed inspection yielded some 80 sacks of smuggled hazardous waste, with each sack weighing 10kg to 12kg.

The spokesman said the traffic flow that had been disrupted at the Native Jetty Bridge was restored. He said the injured died at the hospital, adding that his body was handed over to his family, who have taken it to their native village in the Mastung district. The Customs expressed sorrow over the loss of life, and offered condolences to the family.