According to an official, the cigarettes were seized during raid on different godowns/warehouses within the vicinity of district Peshawar where huge quantity of counterfeit cigarettes was stocked. The raids were conducted after receiving tip regarding the stockpiling of the counterfeit cigarettes, which was verified by the Directorate through assigning a mobile squad to visit the location of such godowns without disclosing their identity and to collect samples of counterfeit cigarette.
In view of the information, the Directorate decided to initiate formal operation against the counterfeit cigarettes and the officers of the Directorate were authorized under the Federal Excise Act, 2005 and Rule 62 of the Federal Excise Rules 2005 to raid the premises where counterfeit cigarettes were stored. Authorized officers of the Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation FBR along with supporting staff conducted raids on the godowns of counterfeit cigarettes located at Chughal Pura, near Ring Road Bridge, Peshawar.
During search of the specified area, the raiding team uncovered four godowns having huge stocks of counterfeit cigarettes. The godowns were unlocked and numerous cartons of counterfeit cigarettes of different brands were found stocked therein were seized.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017