SPECIAL REPORT
GILGIT: The undersigned received credible information regarding the smuggling of mobile phones and other valuable goods aboard a Pakistani truck, registration number GLTE 1257, which had entered from China through the Khunjerab border. According to the information, the vehicle was parked on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near Dehi, potentially waiting to be offloaded during the night between 9th and 10th August 2024.
Acting on this intelligence, a team was constituted comprising Mr. Muhammad Saleem (Superintendent, Anti-Smuggling), Mr. Saleemullah Baig (Inspector, Anti-Smuggling), and sepoys Mr. Irfan Ali, Mr. Basharat, and Mr. Sanaullah.
The team proceeded to Barkhoon, near Dehi in the Khunjerab National Park along the KKH, where they located the truck parked roadside with no individuals in sight. Upon inquiring with the staff of the Forest Department, it was revealed that the truck driver had claimed the vehicle was out of order and required repairs. The team then escorted the vehicle to the NLC Silk Route Dry Port, Sost, where it was handed over to the port/terminal operator for safekeeping.
As no one came forward to claim ownership of the vehicle or its contents, a notice was issued on 12th August 2024 via the SRDP Sost notice board and the Baggage Section, requesting the unknown importer to submit the Import General Manifest (IGM) of the truck to Customs within 15 days. The notice warned that failure to comply would result in necessary legal action. No response was received, and upon the expiry of the notice period, the matter was escalated to the Additional Collector.
Under the Additional Collector’s directives, a second team was formed for a physical examination of the goods. This team included Mr. Asjad Mahmood (Superintendent), Mr. Muhammad Saleem (Superintendent, Anti-Smuggling), Mr. Mujahid Iqbal, Mr. Muhammad Adil, and Mr. Zaighum Ali (Appraising Officers), as well as inspectors Mr. Saleemullah Baig, Mr. Afaq Hussain, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad, and Mr. Akbar Ali. Sepoys Mr. Irfan Ali and Mr. Javed were also part of the team.
Upon inspection of the vehicle, the team discovered 15,465 mobile phones, including 8,365 smartphones (from brands like iPhone, Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus) and 7,100 bar phones, along with other dutiable goods. The total market value of the seized items is estimated at Rs. 446 million. The goods have been detained pending further legal action.
