KARACHI: Pakistan Customs foiled two major smuggling attempts at Jinnah International Airport Karachi and seized a huge quantity of smuggled goods, including platinum bars, high-end smartphones and laboratory-grown diamonds.
According to Customs officials, both operations were carried out at the arrival terminal of Jinnah International Airport. Cases have been registered under the Customs Act, 1969 and further investigations are underway.
In the first operation, Customs officials intercepted a passenger arriving from Dubai who was posing as a regular traveller. During detailed examination of his baggage, officials recovered 10 platinum bars.
The search also led to the recovery of 6 iPhone 17 Pro Max and 2 iPhone 15 Plus devices. In addition, 184 Intel processors, laptops, chemicals and other miscellaneous goods were seized from the possession of the smuggler. Officials estimated the value of the goods seized in this operation at approximately Rs 14 million.
In the second operation, Customs officials recovered 229 carats of laboratory-grown diamonds from a woman who was attempting to smuggle them in the guise of a passenger. The diamonds were sent for laboratory examination, which confirmed them to be synthetic diamonds.
The value of the recovered lab-grown diamonds is estimated at about Rs 2 million, while the total value of goods seized in the second operation is stated to be around Rs 12 million.
Customs officials said the total value of the goods seized in the two operations is estimated at about Rs 14 million, marking a significant success against smuggling through the air route.
