The Customs Appraisement Collectorate, Taftan, under the Office of the Chief Collector of Customs (Appraisement), Balochistan, has successfully foiled an attempt to clandestinely remove from Taftan Border Terminal a massive quantity of Methadone Hydrochloride tablets, classified as a high-risk drug of abuse.
During a surprise inspection, Customs officers at Taftan observed suspicious activity around a container. On inspection, officers recovered 620 cartons containing approximately 11.16 million Methadone Hydrochloride tablets (40 mg each) of Iranian origin, with an estimated market value of PKR 446 million.
One individual, Sikandar Hayat, was arrested from the spot while attempting to transfer the consignment into a private vehicle. He confessed that the controlled substance belonged to one Haji Amanullah, a Taftan-based importer already facing charges of mis-declaration and customs fraud. Another accomplice, identified as Asim, managed to escape.
Methadone is listed under Schedule II of the Control of Narcotic Substances (Regulation of Drugs of Abuse, Controlled Chemicals, Equipment and Materials) Rules, 2001, and its import is strictly regulated through a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Ministry of Narcotics Control on the recommendation of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
An FIR has been lodged under relevant provisions of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. Investigations are underway to apprehend the remaining accused and to determine the possible involvement of any other individual (s).
