Smuggled phones worth Rs27.4 million seized at Karachi
Airport
Karachi Airport's Pakistan Customs Collectorate has
successfully intercepted a significant cache of smuggled mobile phones valued
at over Rs27 million. Surprisingly, the alleged smugglers turned out to be
Umrah passengers.
Customs spokesperson Syed Irfan Ali revealed that acting in
accordance with special directives from the Government of Pakistan and the
Federal Board of Revenue aimed at curbing smuggling, Airport Collector Customs Shafiq Ahmed Latki
diligently enforced these orders and guidelines.
Additional Collector Zahra Taher Naqvi and Assistant
Collector Waqar Haider, both stationed at the airport, instructed their
personnel responsible for arrivals and departures to exercise heightened
vigilance and employ all available resources to thwart smuggling attempts.
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They issued clear directives to crack down on any
individuals undermining the country's economy through smuggling. As a result of
these rigorous anti-smuggling measures, there were reports of attempts by Umrah
passengers to smuggle mobile phones.
Umrah passengers were enticed to carry iPhones with them by
being offered discounted airfares and monetary incentives for flights to
Pakistan. These passengers often encountered minimal scrutiny and swift
clearance, with no suspicions raised against them or their belongings.
Latki appealed to Umrah passengers and other travelers not
to carry someone else's possessions, especially mobile phones, upon their
return to Pakistan, in order to avoid legal repercussions and complications.
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On Sunday night, airport staff stopped a group of passengers
returning from Saudi Arabia via Dubai on Emirates flight EK602. The group,
which included women and children, was detained on suspicion. Upon scanning
their belongings, empty phone boxes were discovered.
During questioning, the passengers provided unsatisfactory
answers, leading to a search of their clothing. This search resulted in the
discovery of 51 iPhones: 14 units of iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, 12 units of
iPhone 14, and 25 units of iPhone 15.
The total value of these phones is Rs18.6 million, with
Rs8.8 million payable as duty and taxes in accordance with the law. The overall
value of the seized mobile phones being exported is Rs27.4 million.
A case has been registered against the suspects under the
Customs Act, and three of them have been formally arrested and remanded by the
competent court.
Source: The News