Authorities at Islamabad International Airport foiled a major smuggling attempt and seized foreign-origin commercial goods worth an estimated Rs. 3.6 million from two passengers arriving from Sharjah.
According to customs sources, the operation was carried out on May 3, 2026 after law enforcement agencies and Pakistan Customs received intelligence regarding an alleged attempt to smuggle high-value electronic items and commercial goods into the country through Flight PA 213 from Sharjah.
Acting on the information, customs officials deployed additional staff in the international arrivals area to monitor suspected passengers and luggage carrying undeclared goods.
During baggage screening at around 8:15 pm, authorities intercepted two passengers and recovered a large quantity of non-customs-paid items, including expensive electronic devices and commercial products.
The first passenger, identified as Muhammad Ajmal from Multan, was allegedly carrying four MacBook Pro laptops, several iPhones including iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 13 Pro models, along with empty MacBook boxes and around 30 kilograms of blueberry-flavored products.
The second passenger, Hazrat Khan from Dera Ismail Khan, was found carrying two MacBook Pro laptops, two laptops identified as Model A3240, four iPhone 16 Pro Max devices, empty MacBook boxes, approximately 30 kilograms of blueberry-flavored cartons, and premium hookah tobacco packs.
Customs officials detained all recovered goods on the spot and issued detention slips to both passengers under customs regulations.
Sources within the department said the seizure took place during a shift supervised by Inspector Adnan Waleed, who was recently posted as shift in charge. Officials added that authorities are also examining possible links between certain airport personnel and organized smuggling groups.