KHYBER AGENCY -  An attempt of smuggling was foiled by the customs officials by recovering 80 tons fertilizer from two trailers loaded with repatriated Afghan families at Torkham border.

Torkham Customs Centre Superintendent Naeem Kham told on Friday that the customs officials in routine duty stopped two Afghanistan bound trailers, bearing registration numbers KBL-45255 and KBL-57476, loaded with valuables of returning Afghan citizens for inspection. During search, 40 tons of fertilizer was recovered from each of the two vehicles, hid under the commodities of repatriating families.

A case was lodged and the trucks along the seized items were took into legal custody for further investigation, the official added. One driver whose identification could not be ascertained was arrested in the smuggling attempt.

The trailers had crossed all the Khasadar force checkpoints. However, the Khasadar subidar said that they were not allowed to check the vehicle, carrying Afghanistan repatriated families, in Torkham.

It is to be mentioned here that that fertilizer is one the contraband items that has been declared banned for export to Afghanistan.