Customs Intelligence in Karachi has uncovered a significant operation involving the theft of non-duty paid diesel from the PARCO oil pipeline.
This was achieved through a sophisticated system involving a 174-foot-long underground tunnel, used by smugglers to extract and transport the fuel illegally.
The operation was first identified through meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance, particularly focusing on a suspicious industrial site in Karachi.
This led to the discovery of the tunnel, which was intricately connected to the PARCO pipeline, facilitating the illegal extraction of diesel.
A recent Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) conducted by Customs Intelligence resulted in the seizure of 65,000 litres of non-duty paid diesel, valued at approximately Rs 20 million.
The operation, which has been running unchecked for an extended period, has reportedly caused daily losses of billions of rupees.
Further to the seizure, investigations led to the arrest of the owner of an edible oil factory at Port Qasim. This factory was identified as being intricately involved in the illegal activities.
The arrest marks a significant development in unraveling the network behind this sophisticated smuggling operation.
The Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Karachi, initiated this operation based on information provided by the Director General of Customs Intelligence, Faiz Ahmad Chadhar.
The information pointed to an organized syndicate involved in the theft and sale of non-duty paid diesel.
Ongoing investigations aim to arrest other members of the gang and determine the full extent of the losses over time.
