Smuggled goods, narcotics worth Rs1.57bn seized

Pakistan Customs has stepped up its anti-smuggling efforts across the nation, recovering an estimated value of Rs 1.57 billion worth of illicit goods and narcotics across various regions. According to official reports, the Customs department seized a substantial amount of heroin, totaling Rs 1.2 billion, at the Ziarat Cross checkpoint.

Additionally, Customs officials at the Digital Enforcement Station in Kolpur apprehended smuggled goods valued at Rs 51.6 million during a routine inspection of a passenger vehicle on the Quetta-Sibi route. The seized items included a significant quantity of Cellulose Acetate Tow, along with Indian-origin Ketamine injections, Chinese salt, poppy seeds, foreign cigarettes, cosmetics, and confectionery.

This marks the second major Cellulose Acetate Tow seizure by the DES Kolpur within a span of ten days, with the first seizure amounting to Rs 73 million on October 31, 2026. At the Silk Route Dry Port in Sost, Customs recovered approximately 23,800 kg of suspected Cellulose Acetate Tow, concealed within an undeclared container, along with a range of other goods, including cosmetics, perfumes, mobile phone batteries, and circuit breakers.

The combined value of the recovered goods, including associated duties and taxes, is estimated at Rs 319 million, primarily due to the illicit Cellulose Acetate Tow. Legal proceedings have been initiated following these seizures, and ongoing investigations are underway to further probe the matter.