The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has raided an alleged illegal cigarette manufacturing unit in Karachi’s Malir district and seized machinery, cigarettes, tobacco and other materials estimated to be worth up to Rs750 million.
The raid was part of the FBR’s ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal cigarette manufacturing.
According to FBR officials, the unit was operating under the name “Honda Cigarette Company” and had been established on more than 2,000 square yards of land. Production at the facility had reportedly begun around a month before the raid, with an estimated daily production capacity of 100 cartons.
During the operation, officials seized two operational cigarette-making machines, each reportedly valued at around Rs300 million.
Other equipment recovered from the premises included two tipping machines, a packaging machine, a plastic wrapping machine, a filter-making machine, a 300-kVA generator and other machinery used in cigarette production.
Authorities also seized 60 cartons of cigarettes, around 150,000 loose cigarette sticks, more than 50 sacks of tobacco, 24 cartons of filters and 47 cartons of packaging material.
Three vehicles allegedly used to transport cigarettes and a laptop were also taken into custody.
According to FBR officials, the combined estimated value of the seized machinery, cigarettes, tobacco and other materials is between Rs700 million and Rs750 million.
Sources said the premises had been rented around four months earlier and subsequently converted into a facility suitable for cigarette manufacturing. Production reportedly began approximately one month before the operation.
FBR officials said around 35 to 40 workers were employed at the facility. Some experienced workers had reportedly been brought from Swabi district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while some had previously worked for the Khyber Tobacco Company.
Further investigations into the alleged illegal manufacturing operation are underway. Officials said the final valuation of the seized goods, along with details of any additional recoveries and the findings of the investigation, would be released later.
Also Read : NCCIA Busts Alleged Cyber Blackmail Network
Today's E-Paper