Customs recovers commodities and narcotics valued at approximately $135 million during anti-smuggling operations.

Pakistan Customs, in collaboration with national security and maritime agencies, has confiscated smuggled goods and narcotics valued at over Rs37.9 billion ($135.3 million) during a series of intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations conducted at airports, inland provinces, and maritime routes, as per official statements.

This week, Pakistan Customs seized gold, silver, and commercial products valued at Rs925 million ($3.31 million) during statewide enforcement operations.

Authorities nabbed 234.133 tolas (2.73 kilograms) of gold and 30,785 tolas (359 kilograms) of silver at international airports, as per an official statement.

The confiscated gold is appraised at Rs100.67 million, and the silver is assessed at Rs205.67 million, resulting in a cumulative amount over Rs306 million [$1.10 million], according to the statement.

Customs Enforcement Quetta executed many raids on warehouses in and around Quetta, confiscating illicit commodities valued at around Rs500 million ($1.79 million), which included betel nuts, cigarettes, Chinese salt, Indian pharmaceuticals, skimmed milk powder, spare parts, and misdeclared dates.

The Collectorate of Customs in Sargodha confiscated illicit consignments valued at Rs119.38 million ($427,000) through intelligence-driven operations.

The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) in Sargodha confiscated 584 non-duty-paid, foreign-manufactured high-end mobile phones, valued at Rs72.43 million [$259,000], according to the statement. A separate operation resulted in the seizure of a used Toyota Prius valued at Rs6.7 million for contraventions of customs regulations.

Further enforcement measures by ASO Mianwali resulted in the confiscation of foreign-sourced sheesha, supari, smokeless tobacco (niswar), and cigarettes valued at over Rs28 million ($100,000), while ASO Faisalabad retrieved walnuts and walnut kernels worth Rs12.25 million ($44,000).

Significant maritime drug confiscation

A significant joint intelligence-led counter-narcotics operation near Gadani, Balochistan, culminated in the confiscation of 500 kilograms of methamphetamine (ICE) and 3,500 bottles of foreign liquor, with an estimated worth of Rs37 billion ($132 million).

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced that the operation was executed collaboratively by the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), and the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani.

The statement indicated that the united team apprehended the illegal shipments during synchronized marine operations. “The illicit alcohol was being trafficked into Pakistan via international maritime routes, while the narcotics shipment was destined for a foreign location.”

Subsequent to the interception, the custody of the confiscated contraband was officially transferred to the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Gadani, during a ceremony conducted at the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Headquarters in Karachi, in compliance with legal protocols.

The operation was conducted within the coordinating framework of the Joint Maritime Information coordinating Center (JMICC).

The FBR stated, “These actions highlight the vigilance, professionalism, and steadfast commitment of Pakistan’s enforcement and maritime security agencies.”