Karachi: Customs authorities in Karachi have thwarted a major smuggling attempt involving the illegal export of donkey skins, valued at approximately Rs80 million.
The seized consignment, weighing around 14,000 kilograms, was intercepted by officials from the Collectorate Customs Enforcement Karachi as it was being prepared for shipment abroad.
The operation was made possible through the effective use of the Risk Management Profiling System, which flagged a suspicious container that had been cleared through the Green Channel at the South Asia Pakistan Port Terminal.
Export documentation for the shipment listed the contents as 285 packages of general leather products.
However, a detailed inspection by the Anti-Smuggling Staff revealed that the packages actually contained a large quantity of donkey skins, which are strictly prohibited from export under Pakistan’s current export policy.
The container was bound for China and had already been cleared for movement toward the sea when the discovery was made.
Following the seizure, the consignment was transferred to the anti-smuggling warehouse, and customs officials registered a case against the exporter under the Customs Act.
Authorities have launched a deeper investigation to identify the individuals and networks involved in this illegal trade.
Also Read: Pakistan Loses Tax Revenue to Illicit Trade, Smuggling Rs750bn
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in curbing smuggling activities at Pakistani ports and highlights the importance of improved monitoring systems and stricter enforcement of trade regulations.
