Karachi Customs recently conducted a successful intelligence-based operation near the Karachi–Hyderabad Toll Plaza, recovering 564 high-end mobile phones valued at Rs96 million. The seizure highlights ongoing efforts to curb smuggling and enforce customs regulations in the region.
During the operation, officers also intercepted a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado that had been tampered with to conceal five secret compartments filled with mobile phones. The vehicle’s occupants failed to provide any legal documents to justify possession of the phones, raising suspicions of large-scale smuggling.
A forensic examination confirmed that the vehicle had not been duty-paid, strengthening the case against those involved. Both the phones and the car have been seized under the Customs Act, and an FIR has been registered to launch a full investigation into the smuggling network.
Customs officials said the operation was part of a broader strategy to prevent illegal imports and protect local businesses from unfair competition. High-end mobile phones are often targeted by smugglers because of their high value and demand in the market.
Authorities have urged the public to report suspicious activities and warned that smuggling cases will be strictly prosecuted. This operation also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by customs officials in monitoring goods entering Pakistan and enforcing regulations at key checkpoints.
The crackdown has been praised by experts and media observers, who said that intelligence-based interventions are crucial in curbing organized smuggling operations. Officials are expected to follow up on leads from this seizure to dismantle the network involved in illegally importing mobile phones.
