Customs officials seize Rs446m worth smuggled mobile phones at Sost Port

GILGIT: Pakistan Customs seized over 15,465 mobile phones worth Rs446 million at Sost Dry Port, thwarting a smuggling attempt from China to Pakistan through the Khunjerab Pass border crossing.

Customs authorities have seized a truck containing smuggled mobile phones, mostly Andriod, and other goods and a smuggling case has been registered.

According to the report, the Pakistan Customs officials at the Sost Dry Port had received information that a truck number GLTE 1257 loaded with smuggled mobile phones and other valuable goods crossed into Pakistan from China through the Khunjerab Pass border.

The Customs team found the truck parked on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near the Dehi area of Khunjerab Pass with no one around. People in the area informed the Customs team that an unknown person had parked the truck stating that the vehicle has developed some mechanical fault which needed to be fixed by a mechanic.

The team brought the truck to the Sost Dry Port for safekeeping and custody. The Customs Office at Sost Dry Port issued a notice for the owner to submit truck documents.

However, the office did not receive any response during the given deadline which prompted the Assistant Collector of Sost Dry Port to constitute a team for the physical examination of goods loaded on the vehicle.

The inquiry team stated that a total of 15,465 mobile phones including 8,365 smartphones (iPhone, Oppo, Vivo, One-Plus, etc.) and 7,100 bar phones, and other non-duty paid goods were found. The total market price of these goods is estimated at Rs446 million which have been seized by Pakistan Customs.