KARACHI: In a major crackdown against the illicit fuel trade, Karachi Customs, Police, and federal intelligence agencies have dismantled a sophisticated smuggling network operating in the city’s outskirts.
The Operation
The joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) targeted a dumping point located at Sikandar-e-Azam Petroleum Service on Hub Road, Mawach Goth. Acting on precise tip-offs, the raiding party uncovered a massive illegal setup used to store and distribute smuggled Iranian diesel.
Key Highlights of the Raid
The raiding team recovered over 17,000 liters of smuggled Iranian diesel from the site and apprehended two suspects during the operation. Smugglers had converted a 1,000-square-yard plot behind the petrol pump into a high-tech dumping station, featuring underground hidden tanks and a specialized automated system for fuel transfer.
Action Taken
Customs officials have confiscated the Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) products along with the machinery used in the smuggling process. The petrol pump involved in the illegal activity has been sealed by the authorities.
Next Steps
An investigation has been launched to trace the broader links of this network. Officials believe the interrogation of the arrested suspects will lead to further arrests of key players involved in the cross-border smuggling syndicate.
