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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs, in coordination with national security and maritime agencies, has seized smuggled goods and narcotics worth more than Rs37.9 billion ($135.3 million) in a series of intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations carried out across airports, inland provinces and maritime routes, according to official statements.&nbsp;Earlier this week, Pakistan Customs recovered gold, silver and commercial goods worth Rs925 million ($3.31 million) during enforcement actions nationwide. According to a statement issued by the information, authorities intercepted 234.133 tolas (2.73 kilograms) of gold and 30,785 tolas (359 kilograms) of silver at international airports. &ldquo;The seized gold is valued at Rs100.67 million, while the silver is worth Rs205.67 million, bringing the total to over Rs306 million [$1.10 million],&rdquo; the statement said. In Balochistan, Customs Enforcement Quetta conducted multiple raids on warehouses in and around Quetta, seizing smuggled goods worth approximately Rs500 million ($1.79 million), including betel nuts, cigarettes, Chinese salt, Indian medicines, skimmed milk powder, spare parts and mis-declared dates. Meanwhile, the Collectorate of Customs, Sargodha seized Rs119.38 million ($427,000) worth of smuggled consignments through intelligence-based operations. &ldquo;The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Sargodha seized 584 non-duty-paid, foreign-origin high-end mobile phones valued at Rs72.43 million [$259,000],&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;In a separate operation, a used Toyota Prius worth Rs6.7 million was also seized for violations of customs laws.&rdquo; Additional enforcement actions by ASO Mianwali led to the seizure of foreign origin sheesha, supari, smokeless tobacco (niswar) and cigarettes valued at over Rs28 million ($100,000), while ASO Faisalabad recovered walnuts and walnut kernels worth Rs12.25 million ($44,000). Narcotics seizureIn the largest operation, a joint intelligence-based counter-narcotics operation near Gadani, Balochistan resulted in the seizure of 500 kilograms of methamphetamine (ICE) and 3,500 bottles of foreign liquor, valued at Rs37 billion ($132 million). According to a statement &nbsp; issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the operation was conducted jointly by the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani. &ldquo;The joint team intercepted the illicit consignments during coordinated maritime operations,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;The foreign liquor was being smuggled into Pakistan through international sea routes, while the narcotics consignment was intended for an international destination.&rdquo; Following the interception, custody of the seized contraband was formally transferred to the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Headquarters in Karachi, in accordance with legal procedures. The operation was carried out under the coordination framework of the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center (JMICC). &ldquo;This successful counter-narcotics operation reflects enhanced inter-agency cooperation, effective intelligence sharing and swift operational response,&rdquo; the FBR said. The Federal Board of Revenue said the cumulative nationwide seizures demonstrate Pakistan Customs&rsquo; continued focus on intelligence-driven enforcement, preventing smuggling and protecting the national economy. &ldquo;These actions underscore the vigilance, professionalism and unwavering commitment of Pakistan&rsquo;s enforcement and maritime security agencies,&rdquo; the FBR said.

Security

Pakistan Customs and national security agencies have seized smuggled goods and narcotics worth over $135.3 million through coordinated intelligence-based operations nationwide, including a major maritime interception of methamphetamine and foreign liquor near Gadani.

Pakistan seizes goods worth over $135M in nationwide anti-smuggling operations

ISLAMABAD: A series of coordinated anti-smuggling operations by Pakistan&rsquo;s naval and customs authorities has disrupted illicit trafficking across maritime and land routes, seizing hashish, smuggled mobile phones, vehicles, and other contraband worth millions of dollars, according to official statements. &ldquo;This successful interdiction at sea underscores Pakistan Navy&rsquo;s unwavering commitment to combating illicit activities and ensuring security in the maritime domain,&rdquo; the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Sunday. The Pakistan Navy reported that its ship YAMAMA, deployed on a Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) in the Arabian Sea, intercepted and seized 1,500 kilograms of hashish valued at approximately $3 million. According to ISPR, the operation highlights the Navy&rsquo;s role in collaborative maritime security efforts with regional and international partners. Meanwhile, Customs Enforcement Karachi conducted an intelligence-driven land operation near the Karachi-Hyderabad Toll Plaza, recovering 564 high-end smuggled mobile phones and a tampered Toyota Land Cruiser Prado worth a combined Rs96 million ($342,591). The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Karachi noted that specially created cavities concealed the mobile phones and confirmed the vehicle was non-duty paid. An FIR has been registered, and investigations into the smuggling network are ongoing. Similarly, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Peshawar foiled multiple smuggling attempts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seizing goods valued at Rs74.4 million ($265,354). The operations included the interception of three trucks carrying 12,200 kg of betel nuts, 4,021 sleeves of foreign cigarettes, and 170 tyres, alongside non-duty-paid cosmetics and vehicles such as a Toyota Vitz and Toyota Aqua. The Anti-Smuggling Directorate in Nowshera also confiscated a JAC Pickup loaded with 2,000 sleeves of smuggled cigarettes. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) emphasized that these operations reaffirm Pakistan Customs&rsquo; commitment to curbing smuggling and protecting the national economy. &ldquo;These coordinated efforts across sea and land routes demonstrate a robust, intelligence-driven approach to safeguarding Pakistan&rsquo;s borders and maritime interests,&rdquo; the FBR said.

Pakistan Navy ship YAMAMA seized 1,500 kg of hashish worth about US $3 million in a successful anti-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea. (ISPR)

From the Arabian Sea to highways in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan’s multi-agency operations this week underscore an integrated approach to anti-smuggling enforcement, blending naval vigilance with customs intelligence.

Articles tagged with "Smuggling"

Pakistan seizes goods worth over $135M in nationwide anti-smuggling operations

Pakistan forces seize millions in drugs, smuggled goods across sea and land