Customs Seizes Record 132,000 Liters of Smuggled Iranian Diesel Near Karachi Coast

In one of its largest operations to date, the Marine Enforcement Unit of the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Karachi has intercepted three wooden vessels carrying 132,564 litres of Iranian-origin High-Speed Diesel (HSD).

The operation, conducted during the night between October 9 and 10, 2025, marks a major success in the department’s ongoing anti-smuggling drive.

According to official reports, the action was launched on the basis of credible intelligence regarding the movement of smuggled petroleum products along Pakistan’s coastal route.

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Acting swiftly, a Marine Enforcement Team — led by Preventive Officers Ayaz Ali and Saleem Yusuf — departed for deep waters to intercept the suspected vessels.

After a well-coordinated pursuit, the officers successfully located and seized all three boats near Somiani and Phor/Sapat areas. The launches were then escorted safely to the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) office at Karachi Port, without any loss of life or damage.

The confiscated diesel has been valued at Rs33.14 million, while the seized wooden launches are worth Rs45 million, bringing the total value of the recovery to Rs78.14 million.

Customs officials confirmed that this is the largest single-operation seizure of petroleum products by the Marine Unit to date.

Earlier, in September 2025, the same Marine team conducted multiple successful operations near Ormara and Sonmiani Bay, recovering 18,271 litres and 29,272 litres of smuggled HSD in separate actions.

Officials noted that these consecutive recoveries underscore the Marine Unit’s enhanced surveillance, operational efficiency, and coordination, achieved despite limited manpower and resources.

The Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Karachi has praised the Marine Enforcement Unit’s professionalism and vigilance, describing the operation as a model of “exceptional teamwork and maritime discipline.”

In a statement, the Collectorate reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Pakistan Customs’ maritime enforcement capacity to safeguard national revenue and economic interests from organized smuggling networks.