Quetta: Pakistan Customs destroys smuggled goods worth Rs. 4b
Ayub Tareen :
Pakistan Customs on Tuesday morning destroyed smuggled goods worth Rs. 4b in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The smuggled goods and contraband goods burnt during a ceremony in the Kach Mor area of Quetta.
The smuggled and contraband goods included narcotics, charas, liquor, gutka, medicines, Chinese salt, and betel nuts. “We are committed to eradicating the curse of narcotics”, Gul Rehman, the Chief collector customs said.
Officers of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Frontier Corps (FC), and other law enforcement agencies witnessed the drug burning ceremony. “Curse of narcotics must be eradicated from society”, Mr. Gul Rehman said.
3542kgs narcotics destroyed during the ceremony
The items destroyed included 3542 kilograms of narcotic ( charas ) 554 bottles of liquors, 1350 M.Ton of gutka, and 1943 M.Ton tons of betel nuts Chinese salts, and goods such as expired cosmetics and foodstuffs and medicines.
According to a Pakistan Customs spokesperson, the proceedings started with the national anthem. Irfan Javed collector (enforcement), welcomed the guests and gave a brief overview of the event.
The curse of narcotics has destroyed the lives of thousands of youngsters in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. The easy availability of drugs remains one of the underlying reasons behind the spread of narcotics in society.
Balochistan shares a 1200km border with Afghanistan
Balochistan province shares a 1200 km border with neighboring Afghanistan in the north and west. The smugglers have been using dozens of unfrequented routes at the porous border to smuggle heroin, hashish, and other narcotics to Balochistan. Then, they smuggle heroin and other narcotics to foreign lands via Iran and Turkey.
“Our soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the battle against narcotics”, Irfan Javed, the Collector Customs Balochistan said. He vowed that Pakistan customs would continue to battle against the drug smugglers along with other law enforcement agencies.
Political parties and civil society have launched a movement against the menace of drugs in various parts of Balochistan recently.
Quetta: Pakistan Customs destroys smuggled goods worth Rs. 4b
