Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Preventive, Karachi Friday claimed to have foiled an attempt to smuggle myriad quantity of cell phones, auto parts and other items under the guise of diplomatic consignment. Speaking at a press conference at Customs House Karachi, Collector Preventive Dr Iftikhar Ahmed said that credible information was received that a gang of smugglers was involved in smuggling of goods by misusing the exemption facility available to the diplomats/privileged persons.

Reacting on this information, ASO team of Preventive Collectorate after strict vigilance spotted a container - WHLU-5685618 at a warehouse near Chamra Chowrangi, Korangi on December 28, 2017.

The ASO team during examination recovered substantial quantity of mobile phones and other goods worth Rs 60 million, which were cleared under the garb of a diplomatic consignment.

He said that these unscrupulous persons filed a Good Declaration (GD) KAPE-PP-110750 in the name of a diplomat with declared description as 'Household goods' worth Rs 0.986 million, adding that declared goods were delivered to the concerned diplomat while rest of the goods including, auto parts & headlights, refrigeration gas cylinders, refrigeration coil and Jotun paint worth Rs 60 million were confiscated along with driver, conductor and one suspected person.

During initial course of investigation, it was revealed that goods were removed from the said container and dispatched to different areas of the city. Resultantly, raids were conducted that led the seizure of remaining goods along with a truck loaded with smuggled cell phones and tablets. An FIR has been lodged and further investigations are under way.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017