ISLAMABAD, November 10, 2026: Pakistan Customs has seized heroin and smuggled goods valued at more than Rs1.3 billion in separate enforcement operations in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, while detecting suspected cigarette-filter raw material involving an estimated Rs319 million in duties and taxes.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the operations were conducted at Ziarat Cross, Kolpur and Sost Dry Port as part of intensified efforts to curb narcotics trafficking, smuggling and revenue losses.
In a major operation, the Field Enforcement Unit (FEU) at Ziarat Cross, operating under the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Quetta, recovered 42.891 kilograms of heroin concealed inside specially constructed compartments of a Toyota Hilux Revo.
Customs officials estimated the international market value of the narcotics at Rs1.2 billion. The vehicle, valued at approximately Rs20 million, was also confiscated, bringing the total seizure value to Rs1.22 billion.
Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under the Customs Act, 1969, and the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997.
The FBR said this was the third major narcotics seizure carried out by the Ziarat Cross enforcement unit in less than six weeks.
In another operation, the Digital Enforcement Station (DES) at Kolpur intercepted a passenger vehicle on the Quetta-Sibi route and recovered foreign-origin smuggled goods worth Rs51.6 million.
The confiscated items included approximately 500 kilograms of Cellulose Acetate Tow, a material used in cigarette-filter manufacturing, valued at Rs50 million.
Other recovered goods included 30 Indian-origin ketamine injections, Chinese salt, poppy seeds, foreign cigarettes, cosmetics, confectionery and miscellaneous merchandise.
According to Customs, the latest recovery was the second major seizure of Cellulose Acetate Tow at Kolpur within ten days.
An earlier operation on October 31 resulted in the recovery of approximately 730 kilograms of the material valued at Rs73 million, taking the combined value of the two seizures to more than Rs108 million.
The FBR said the latest operation was conducted by recently recruited sub-inspectors and sepoys deployed at the enforcement station.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Customs detected approximately 23,800 kilograms of suspected Cellulose Acetate Tow in an undeclared container at Silk Route Dry Port in Sost.
The container, examined on November 7, also contained cosmetics, perfumes, mobile phone batteries and circuit breakers.
Customs authorities estimated the market value of the recovered goods at Rs75 million, while the associated duties and taxes were assessed at approximately Rs319 million.
Officials said most of the estimated tax liability related to the suspected Cellulose Acetate Tow.
Samples of the recovered material are being sent for laboratory examination to determine its exact composition and customs classification.
Legal proceedings are also being initiated under the Customs Act, 1969.
The FBR said the operations demonstrated Pakistan Customs’ continued focus on intelligence-led enforcement, strengthening border controls and preventing the movement of illicit goods.
It also acknowledged the challenging security conditions and difficult working environments faced by Customs personnel stationed at remote enforcement locations.
Pakistan Customs reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government revenue, disrupting smuggling networks and preventing narcotics trafficking through sustained surveillance and enforcement operations.