Customs officials at Allama Iqbal International Airport have seized 95 high-value smartphones worth millions of rupees from a passenger arriving from Sharjah. The phones were discovered in the luggage of the passenger, identified as Mumtaz Muzaffar, a resident of Sialkot, who arrived on flight 501-9P of a private airline last night.
According to a customs spokesperson, the operation was conducted based on a tip-off received by Collector Customs Taiba Kiani. The passenger involved has been arrested and a case has been registered against him. This should serve as a warning to others attempting any smuggling activities, as authorities continue to enhance their surveillance and enforcement measures.
In recent months, there have been several high-profile seizures of smuggled goods, including electronics and luxury items, as authorities ramp up efforts to combat smuggling and protect local industries.
In a similar case earlier this year, customs officials at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport seized a large shipment of counterfeit electronics, which signified the challenges faced by authorities in regulating the influx of goods that bypass legal channels. Such operations are crucial not only for revenue protection but also for ensuring consumer safety, as smuggled goods often do not meet safety standards.