KARACHI: The customs authorities at Jinnah International Airport have foiled two major smuggling attempts during an intensified anti-smuggling campaign, seizing diamonds, platinum bars, and expensive electronic items worth more than Rs14 million.
Two passengers, including a woman, arriving from Dubai were arrested in separate operations, officials said.
In this regard, the successful operations were carried out following intelligence-based surveillance and enhanced monitoring of international arrivals, particularly flights from Dubai.
So far, the customs officials said the coordinated actions prevented the illegal entry of high-value goods into the country.
In the first operation, Customs personnel intercepted a passenger arriving from Dubai after identifying suspicious activity at the airport’s Green Channel.
During a detailed inspection of the passenger’s luggage, officials recovered 10 platinum bars, several high-end mobile phones, and other expensive electronic items that had allegedly been concealed to evade customs clearance.
The recovered goods were immediately confiscated, and the passenger was taken into custody for further legal proceedings.
In a separate operation, Customs officials stopped a female passenger who had arrived in Karachi from Dubai on a private airline flight for routine screening.
During the inspection, officers recovered 229 carats of high-value diamonds, which had reportedly been hidden with considerable sophistication in an attempt to avoid detection.
The diamonds were seized on the spot, and the woman was arrested. Authorities said the recovered gemstones are of significant commercial value and form a major part of the total seizure made during the two operations.
They added that surveillance of flights arriving from Dubai has been further strengthened as part of ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and protect the country’s economy.
The Customs Department reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against smuggling activities and emphasized that intelligence-led operations will continue to ensure effective enforcement of customs laws and prevent illegal trade through the country’s airports.
