Pakistan Customs Gadani foils major drug smuggling bid, seizes 188kg hashish

Pakistan Customs Gadani on Thursday foiled a major attempt to smuggle narcotics, seizing 188 kilogrammes of hashish worth an estimated Rs552.44 million, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a press release.

According to officials, the contraband was recovered from a container-mounted vehicle intercepted at the Kurkhera Check Post following specific intelligence shared by the Collector Customs Enforcement, Gadani. Enhanced checking at the post led officers to divert a vehicle transporting “cut tyres” for a detailed inspection.

During the search, customs personnel discovered two oversized tyres inside the container. The tyres had been modified using sophisticated concealment methods to hide the narcotics. A thorough examination led to the recovery of 169 packets of hashish.

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Authorities said the total assessed value of the seized narcotics along with the vehicle amounts to Rs552.437 million. The individual accompanying the vehicle was taken into custody on the spot, while the drugs, tyres and vehicle were seized under the Customs Act, 1969.

An investigation into the smuggling attempt is underway.

The FBR reiterated its resolve to curb narcotics trafficking, safeguard national security and ensure strict enforcement against all forms of illicit trade.

A day ago, Pakistan Customs in an operation intercepted 80 bottles (20 litres) of liquor and 40 kg of pork meat brought through the Khunjerab Pass, in violation of Pakistan’s import prohibitions.

The estimated duty and taxes on the seized items amounted to Rs78.5 million. All items were taken into custody under the Customs Act, 1969, and further legal proceedings are underway.