Pakistan Customs has seized smuggled goods worth Rs3.7 billion during an intensive nationwide anti-smuggling crackdown conducted over the past two weeks under directives of the federal government and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
According to the Office of the Chief Collector Customs (Enforcement) Islamabad, nine Customs Enforcement Collectorates carried out coordinated operations targeting major smuggling networks across the country.
Major Seizures Across Pakistan
The largest recoveries were reported from:
- Gadani — Rs853 million worth of smuggled goods
- Sargodha — Rs700 million
- Quetta — Rs693 million
Officials said the operations focused on dismantling organised smuggling routes responsible for large-scale revenue losses.
Iranian Diesel Smuggling Foiled at Sea
In one of the biggest actions, Customs Enforcement authorities in Gadani intercepted six fishing boats transporting 201,000 litres of Iranian-origin high-speed diesel.
Subsequent raids at coastal dumping points led to the recovery of an additional 158,000 litres, bringing the total value of the case to approximately Rs357 million.
Cigarette Filter Material Seized in Multan
Customs officials in Multan intercepted a vehicle carrying 3,900 kilograms of acetate tow, a key raw material used in cigarette filter manufacturing.
The seized consignment, valued at Rs205 million, was allegedly being transported without legal documentation.
Onion Truck Used to Hide Contraband
In Bhakkar, enforcement teams uncovered smuggled goods worth Rs96 million hidden beneath an onion shipment inside a cargo truck — highlighting increasingly sophisticated concealment techniques used by smugglers.
Smugglers Using Advanced Methods
Pakistan Customs stated that smuggling networks are now employing:
- concealed compartments in buses and luxury vehicles,
- courier consignments,
- modified cash vans, and
- disguised cargo shipments
to evade enforcement checks.
Authorities reaffirmed that nationwide intelligence-based operations will continue to curb illegal trade, protect domestic industry, and safeguard government revenue.
