Rawalpindi - Pakistan Customs seized a huge cache of smart phones that were being smuggled in the country from four passengers at Benazir Bhutto Islamabad International Airport (BBIIAP) yesterday.
All the four passengers were arrested for carrying 1,645 smart phones worth Rs 20 million as they arrived from Dubai, an official told the media persons.
According to information shared by Customs officials, they received specific information about smuggling of big quantity of cell phones and other accessories to Pakistan from Dubai.
Muhammad Ejaz, Inspector Vigilance Wing, intercepted four passengers coming from Dubai via flight number PK-234. The four passengers were identified as Muhammad Faisal Memon, a resident of Karachi, Nazeer Abdullah, a resident of Kohat, Waqas Omer, a resident of Kohat, and Nazeer Abdullah, a resident of Karachi.
During the course of search, the customs officials recovered 1,645 smart phones and 10, 700 memory cards.
A customs official desiring anonymity said that the smuggling attempt was not possible without help from staff of the airline. He said that the weight of one hand carry bag could not exceed 8-kg. Each of four bags carried by the smugglers weighted over 40-kg that clearly showed involvement of staff of the airline.
The official said that a criminal case had been registered against the passengers and further investigations could lead to evidence about involvement of staff of the airline.
Meanwhile, Airports Security Force (ASF) foiled a smuggling bid at BBIIAP by arresting a passenger with 2-kg heroin. The accused was identified as Daud-ur-Rehman, a resident of Hangu. The ASF arrested the passenger on the spot and later handed him over to Anti-Narcotics Force for further action.