Pakistan Customs at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi, have successfully foiled two separate attempts to smuggle gold and undeclared foreign currency during passenger clearance at the international departures terminal.
In both cases, a total of ten STB gold bars/bullions weighing 100 tolas and foreign currency amounting to $11,900 were seized, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement.
“The combined value of both cases is approximately Rs50.682 million,” it said.
FIRs have been lodged under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, said the agency.
According to the statement, customs officials intercepted a passenger travelling to Dubai via flight No. FZ-330, after baggage scanning, indicated the possible concealment of precious metal.
During joint examination of the passenger’s luggage, three STB gold bars/bullions weighing 10 tolas each, i.e. total of 30 tolas, were recovered.
“The gold bars were skillfully concealed inside mobile phones.
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“In addition, undeclared foreign currency amounting to $4,900 was recovered from the passenger’s wallet, which had not been declared at the currency declaration counter. The value of this case is approximately Rs15.682million.”
Earlier, customs officials intercepted another passenger travelling to Istanbul via flight No. TK-709 was under suspicion of concealed gold bars detected through baggage scanning.
“During detailed examination at the joint examination counter, seven STB gold bars/bullions weighing 10 tolas each, i.e. total of 70 tolas, were recovered from the passenger’s baggage. A subsequent body search led to the recovery of undeclared foreign currency amounting to $7,000. The value of this case is approximately Rs35 million.”
In both cases, the recovered gold and foreign currency were seized, and FIRs were registered under the Customs Act, 1969.
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