Islamabad/ Rawalpindi: Customs authorities successfully intercepted an attempt to Foiled Antiquities Smuggling worth millions of rupees from Quetta to Islamabad. According to official sources, customs authorities successfully foiled the attempt to Foiled Antiquities Smuggling , resulting in the arrest of a suspect.
The officials received information at Customs Preventive Service, a specialized team was swiftly assembled to prevent the illicit transport of antiquities.
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The interception occurred near Chungi No 26, where a bus was stopped, and a significant number of antiquities were seized. The FIR copy is attached below.
The confiscated artifacts were subsequently transported to a warehouse for further investigation. The detained suspect, identified as Abdul Salam, was apprehended when he failed to provide documentation proving ownership and legal possession of the antiquities.
To ascertain the authenticity and significance of the artifacts, a letter was dispatched to the director general of antiquities.
About the Antiques
Experts confirmed to the reporter of Tawar-e-Pakistan that the recovered items were original, unique pieces previously utilized in exhibitions. Remarkably, the antiquities date back to 2600 and 3500 BC, with an estimated insurance value of Rs3 million. This successful operation highlights the vigilance of customs authorities in safeguarding cultural heritage and preventing illegal trade in antiquities.
On the other hand, in other operations three trucks and two buses were seized, containing foreign cloths worth millions of rupees and cigarettes, being smuggled from Balochistan to the capital, told custom officials.