Pakistan Customs has seized 42.891 kilogrammes of heroin with an estimated international market value of about Rs1.2 billion at Ziarat Cross, in the third major narcotics seizure by its Field Enforcement Unit in the area in less than six weeks.

The Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Quetta, said its Field Enforcement Unit recovered the heroin from specially built concealed compartments in a Toyota Hilux Revo. The vehicle, valued at around Rs20 million, was also seized, taking the total value of the seizure to Rs1.22 billion.

Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested on the spot and a first information report has been registered, according to the Customs press release reported on Tuesday.

Smuggled goods seized at Kolpur and Sost

In a separate operation, Customs officers at the Digital Enforcement Station in Kolpur recovered smuggled foreign-origin goods worth Rs51.6 million during the checking of a passenger vehicle on the Quetta to Sibi route. The consignment had a cost, insurance and freight value of Rs36.1 million.

The haul included about 500 kilogrammes of Cellulose Acetate Tow, used as raw material for cigarette filters, valued at Rs50 million, along with 30 Indian-origin Ketamine injections, Chinese salt, poppy seeds, foreign cigarettes, cosmetics, confectionery and other goods.

It was the second major Cellulose Acetate Tow seizure by the Kolpur station in under ten days. An earlier recovery of roughly 730 kilogrammes worth Rs73 million was made on 31 October, taking the combined value of the two seizures beyond Rs108 million. The latest operation was carried out by recently inducted Sub-Inspectors and Sepoys.

Separately, at the Silk Route Dry Port in Sost, Customs recovered about 23,800 kilogrammes of suspected Cellulose Acetate Tow from an undeclared container, along with cosmetics, perfumes, mobile phone batteries and circuit breakers. The goods carry an estimated market value of Rs75 million, while the duties and taxes involved are estimated at Rs319 million.

The container was examined on 7 November and samples have been sent for laboratory testing to establish the exact composition and classification of the material. Legal proceedings have been initiated.

Hashish found in carrot truck days earlier

The heroin seizure follows another Customs operation in Balochistan days earlier. On 8 November, Customs officers stopped a truck at the Digital Enforcement Station in Khurkhera, on the RCD Highway, after receiving information about a suspected drug consignment travelling from Quetta.

A search of the truck, registration TKT-358, which was ostensibly carrying a commercial shipment of carrots, revealed 51 kilogrammes of hashish concealed in specially built compartments. The driver, Muhammad Qasim, from Qilla Abdullah district, was arrested at the scene.

Initial investigations suggest the drugs had been loaded in the Gulistan area and were being transported to Karachi for onward distribution. Customs put the combined value of the drugs and the vehicle at Rs239.5 million and registered a first information report.

Customs said the seizures were part of its continuing enforcement drive against narcotics smuggling and the movement of smuggled goods between provinces, with operations intensifying across the country.