HUB: The Department of Pakistan Customs, operating under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has recovered over 30.5 metric tons of smuggled betel nuts valued at more than Rs. 250 million and seized four passenger buses in the process.
According to the FBR, the Enforcement Collectorate Gadani acted on credible intelligence and, with assistance from the Frontier Corps and local police, conducted a raid near Ashok Pump in District Hub.
During the operation, authorities confiscated 30.5 metric tons of foreign-origin smuggled betel nuts along with the four buses.
The total estimated value of the seized goods and vehicles stands at approximately Rs. 252.5 million.
The action was based on verified secret information received by the Chief Collector (Enforcement).
As soon as law enforcement personnel began the operation, a crowd gathered, leading to chaos and unrest.
In the ensuing clash, the bus drivers managed to flee the scene.
Through the joint efforts of Customs, FC, and police, the situation was brought under control.
Due to the hostile environment and rising tensions, the impounded vehicles were promptly secured and transferred to the Customs Warehouse in Gadani.
Over the past decade, Pakistan Customs has significantly intensified its enforcement operations against smuggling, tax evasion, and trade-based money laundering, recovering billions of rupees in duties and taxes while seizing contraband worth hundreds of billions.
The Federal Board of Revenue’s Enforcement Collectorate and field formations have conducted thousands of high-profile raids, ambushes, and intelligence-based operations across land routes, seaports, airports, and inland dry ports.
Major seizures have included massive quantities of smuggled cigarettes, betel nuts, cloth, electronics, vehicles, narcotics, arms, and counterfeit goods, with some single operations recovering goods valued between Rs. 1 billion and Rs. 10 billion.
Anti-smuggling units in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan have been strengthened with modern surveillance equipment, mobile squads, and better coordination with the Frontier Corps, Rangers, and provincial police.
The introduction of risk-based profiling, container scanning systems, and data analytics has improved detection rates, while crackdowns on mis-declaration, under-invoicing, and gold smuggling have yielded substantial revenue recoveries.
Despite persistent challenges such as organized smuggling networks, political interference, and hostile crowd reactions during seizures, Pakistan Customs has consistently ranked among the top revenue contributors to the national exchequer, with enforcement actions playing a critical role in curbing illicit trade and protecting legitimate commerce.
