In a major anti-smuggling operation, the Customs Enforcement team, acting on credible information conveyed by the Deputy Collector Customs, D.I. Khan-II, under the directions of the Collector Customs (Enforcement), Peshawar, successfully intercepted a large quantity of foreign-origin narcotics from a passenger bus during a routine vigilance check at IP-JCP Aman Mela.
Upon thorough inspection of the suspected Daewoo bus bearing Registration No. CAT-4488, Customs officials recovered foreign-origin narcotics ICE (Crystal Methamphetamine) concealed inside three specially designed inverters placed in the bus. The driver and conductor were arrested on the spot, and an FIR was lodged against them.
The recovered narcotics comprised 15 packets of foreign-origin substance resembling ICE (Crystal Methamphetamine), weighing a total of 15,350 grams (net 15,200 grams after sampling). The estimated value of the narcotics is Rs. 910.200 million, while the value of the seized Daewoo bus is Rs. 15.000 million, bringing the total estimated value of the case to Rs. 925.200 million.
As the recovered narcotics were being transported from IP-JCP Aman Mela to the State Warehouse, the Customs staff came under attack by unidentified miscreants/terrorists, who opened straight and indiscriminate fire on the customs convoy. The attack appeared to be aimed at harming the customs personnel due to high market value of the seized narcotics. However, the swift and courageous response of the customs team ensured the safety of both personnel and the seized goods. Meanwhile, Pakistan Army troops and police personnel acted swiftly and reached the site of the incident promptly, providing immediate support and security. They safely escorted the Customs staff and the recovered narcotics consignment to the State Warehouse, D.I. Khan, without any loss of life or property.
This successful operation demonstrates the continued commitment of FBR against smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
