Pakistan Customs has carried out one of its biggest enforcement actions to date. Authorities have seized more than Rs 1.1 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes and raw materials used for illegal manufacturing across multiple cities. The raids took place in Lahore, Daska and Hyderabad and targeted networks operating hidden production units and storage warehouses.
In Lahore and Daska officers uncovered illegal cigarette production disguised as rice mills. They found large amounts of filters foils cigarette paper adhesives and other manufacturing inputs. These discoveries reveal a well organised system that combined raw material import smuggling and unlicensed factories. In Hyderabad the action focused on non-duty paid and counterfeit imported cigarettes along with smuggled tobacco. Investigations are now underway to trace the entire supply chain from financiers to manufacturing to distribution.
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Acting on credible intelligence, the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Lahore, conducted a major intelligence-led operation exposing an organized network of illegal cigarette manufacturers operating under the guise of rice mills. Acting on a tip-off, Customs officers raided M/s Ayesha Rice Mills, Daska and recovered a massive consignment of acetate tow, cigarette paper, filter rods, aluminum foil, and adhesive materials – all essential inputs for the production of counterfeit and non-duty-paid cigarettes.
During follow-up investigation, another premises, M/s Nazeer Rice Mills, Daska, located nearby, was identified as a potential storage site. A detailed search revealed that the facility had been hurriedly vacated following the earlier raid. Evidence recovered from the site confirmed that the smuggled materials had been relocated to warehouses near Sundar Industrial Estate, Lahore. A coordinated team led by Mr. Arsalan Mughal, Assistant Collector, and Mr. Rashid Munir, Superintendent, carried out raids, recovering approximately 12.5 metric tons of acetate tow and over 120 metric tons of cigarette-making materials, including packaging rolls, filters, and foils.
The total market value of the seized goods is estimated at over Rs. 1 billion, making it one of the largest seizures in Pakistan’s enforcement history. The operation not only disrupted the illegal manufacturing network but also provided vital leads into the supply chain of raw materials being smuggled from abroad and distributed to unlicensed factories across Punjab.
