By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs seized smuggled goods worth more than Rs915.5 million during a series of intelligence-based operations carried out last month, as authorities stepped up efforts to curb illegal trade and protect the country’s economy.
The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad, conducted several operations following intelligence reports and confiscated a large quantity of smuggled items, including high-value vehicles, foreign cigarettes, cosmetics, tyres and other goods.
Officials said 24 expensive smuggled vehicles were taken into custody during the operations. The seizures were part of a wider campaign aimed at preventing the movement of illegally imported goods and disrupting networks involved in smuggling activities.
Customs teams also recovered 121,250 sleeves of foreign cigarettes during the crackdown. Twelve vehicles allegedly being used for transporting smuggled cigarettes were also seized. Officials said the action was taken to control the illegal cigarette trade, which causes financial losses to the national exchequer.
In addition to vehicles and tobacco products, large consignments of smuggled cosmetics, tyres and other imported goods were recovered. Authorities said the value of the seized items reflected the scale of illegal trade operations being carried out through different channels.
Customs officials said the operations were conducted on the basis of detailed intelligence and were part of continued efforts to strengthen enforcement against smuggling. They said teams would continue monitoring suspicious activities and taking action against individuals and groups involved in the illegal movement of goods.
The government has repeatedly emphasized the need to control smuggling to improve revenue collection, support local industries and ensure fair competition for legitimate businesses. Officials said enhanced coordination between enforcement agencies and the use of intelligence-led strategies would remain central to future operations.
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