The Collectorate of Customs (Appraisement) seized a container containing 9048 bottles of liquor worth over Rs6.38 million incorrectly declared as white crystal sugar.
According to details issued by the Collectorate on Saturday, it received a credible information on July 25 that M/S National Foods Ltd had imported a 20-ft container containing liquor of foreign origin and was trying to get it cleared the same declaring it as white crystal sugar.
The Goods Declaration (GD) was filed by clearing agent M/S Patemal Traders was processed by Group-1 under second appraisement system.
A team headed by Assistant Collector of Customs, Salamat Ali was constituted to locate and intercept the container, which was found at Badruddin Yard, East Wharf. It was put to examination, which resulted in recovery of 9048 bottles of Scotch Whisky and Vodka, 35 bags of 50-kg each of crystalline sugar and one piece of 21-inch colour television.
The appraisement team also included two appraisers Mir Mansoor and Naeem Khan Afridi.
The value of the seized goods was Rs6381386 and amount of duty and taxed involved was Rs9126227.
The consignment has been seized under section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969. An FIR has been lodged under section 2 (S) of the Customs Act and investigation has been initiated.