Joint Operation by Motorway Police and Pakistan Customs; 11 Drivers Arrested; Cigarettes Being Smuggled from Peshawar to Lahore Recovered and Handed Over to Customs for Legal Proceedings

Islamabad (Asif Malik): The National Highways and Motorway Police, in a joint anti-smuggling operation with Pakistan Customs Enforcement Islamabad based on intelligence reports, seized 11 Mazda trucks loaded with counterfeit and non-custom-paid cigarettes in the Chakri and Balkassar areas. Eleven drivers were also detained during the operation, while the total value of the recovered cigarettes, trucks, and other seized items was estimated at more than Rs400 million.

According to a spokesperson for the Motorway Police, the smuggled non-custom-paid cigarettes were being transported from Peshawar to Lahore. Acting on a tip-off, the authorities carried out a timely operation near Chakri, during which 11 trucks were searched and a large quantity of non-custom-paid and counterfeit cigarettes was recovered. The value of the cigarettes was estimated at approximately Rs220 million.

According to Pakistan Customs, the operation represents a major success against an organised smuggling network and has caused significant losses to elements involved in illegal trade. The recovered counterfeit cigarettes were not only causing losses to national revenue but also posed a serious threat to public health.

The spokesperson said that the seized cigarettes, 11 Mazda trucks, and the arrested suspects had been handed over to Pakistan Customs for further legal proceedings. Pakistan Customs reiterated its commitment to continuing indiscriminate action against smuggling, the transportation of counterfeit products, and activities that harm the national economy, in order to promote legal trade, protect national revenue, and prevent the circulation of counterfeit goods.