Smuggling-prone items: Major enforcement drive kicks off

ISLAMABAD: The country’s biggest enforcement exercise is under way across Pakistan against non-duty-paid vehicles, smuggled petroleum products, contraband goods and major smuggling-prone items on a national level to generate additional revenue for meeting the assigned revenue target of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for May and June 2026.

With the help of law enforcement agencies, the exercise has been supervised and monitored by the Chief Collector of Customs (Enforcement), Islamabad, in the jurisdiction of nine Customs Enforcement Collectorates.

Despite serious security issues in border areas, the Chief Collector of Customs (Enforcement) Islamabad has intensified the endorsement exercise with the assistance of the law enforcement agencies.

READ MORE: Customs seizes smuggled goods worth Rs3.7bn in 2 weeks

Balochistan Customs staff intercepted a commercial vehicle. Upon inquiry, the driver stated that the vehicle was transporting sensitive cargo under special movement authorization purportedly issued by the Ministry of Interior.

In support of his claim, the driver produced a letter allegedly issued by the Ministry of Interior, along with the endorsement “countersigned by Collector of Customs.”

The letter reflected the route of movement from Mongocher to Multan. However, upon further questioning regarding the actual place of loading, the driver stated that the goods had been loaded from Hazar Ganji, Quetta.

The contradictory statements of the driver, inconsistencies in the contents of the purported authorization letter, and the suspicious nature of the route and cargo movement allegedly involving vegetables from Balochistan to Punjab gave rise to serious suspicion regarding the actual contents of the vehicle/container.

Accordingly, on the basis of profiling, suspicious circumstances, and the evasive conduct of the driver, it was deemed necessary to physically examine the vehicle/container. After considerable resistance from the concerned party, the container was opened. Upon examination, potatoes were found loaded in the front portion of the container. However, after the removal of the potatoes, bags containing foreign-origin Ajinomoto/China Salt were recovered. Furthermore, upon further unloading of the concealed goods, cartons of foreign-origin cigarettes were also recovered from the hidden portion of the cargo.

The method of concealment clearly indicated that contraband goods were being transported under the cover of vegetables and through the use of a purported forged/fake letter allegedly issued by the Ministry of Interior. The timely action of the Customs staff successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle contraband goods through concealment, misdeclaration, and misuse of official-looking documents.

Details of the inventory revealed assorted cigarettes, Chinese salt, and potatoes.

A major enforcement activity was planned & carried out by ASO, CoC Enforcement Lahore, in one of the busiest tyre markets of Lahore, situated at Truck Adda, a couple of nights ago. During the raid in coordination with the Intelligence Bureau, strong resistance was faced but amicably handled.

During the raid, 1341 tyres of assorted sizes and brands (7x Mazda loads) have been detained. The goods have been valued at around Rs23.2 million.

Acting on credible information, FEU, Khuzdar successfully intercepted a Bus near Pir Umer Police Chowki on the Main RCD Highway. During checking, the vehicle was found carrying smuggled betel nuts concealed inside the bus.

Details of Seized Smuggled Goods & Vehicle included Betel Nut: 948 Bags (each containing 13 KGs), Total Weight: 12,324 KGs; Total Estimated Value of Betel Nut: PKR 61.620 million (approx.), Total Estimated Value of Vehicle: PKR 12 million (approx.) and total Case Value (Goods + Vehicle): PKR 73.620 million (approx.)

Further legal proceedings are in process as per the law.

Karachi enforcement has also seized more than 2.5 million litres of HSD, which was being transported to Karachi by two Oil marketing companies and storage houses through misuse of auction documents of customs and another law enforcement agency. An FIR has been lodged, and the case is under investigation.

While exercising strict vigilance, Team ASO, DG Khan, in coordination with other LEAs, has detained four smuggled/NCP vehicles.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026