KARACHI: Customs authorities have recovered 14 newly imported iPhones allegedly concealed beneath a commode in a washroom at Jinnah International Airport, along with two bottles of liquor, officials said on Saturday.
According to the Karachi Customs Collectorate, the passenger had arrived from Hong Kong and allegedly attempted to conceal the mobile phones to avoid customs inspection.
Officials became suspicious after the passenger reportedly spent nearly 20 minutes inside an airport washroom. Upon his return, customs personnel searched his luggage and found two bottles of liquor.
During questioning, the passenger allegedly disclosed that he had hidden the mobile phones inside the washroom after noticing the presence of customs officials.
A customs team subsequently searched the washroom and recovered 14 new iPhones concealed beneath a commode.
The mobile phones and liquor were taken into custody under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act. Authorities placed the combined value of the seized items at approximately Rs5 million.
Customs seize arms worth Rs32m in separate operation
In a separate operation, Pakistan Customs officials seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition and a vehicle at Sidra Sharif.
Customs Enforcement personnel at JCP Yarik conducted the operation after receiving what officials described as credible information about the movement of weapons.
Officials said they intercepted a suspicious vehicle at Sidra Sharif, but its driver abandoned it and managed to escape.
The seized consignment, estimated to be worth around Rs32 million, included four US-made M4 (5.56mm) rifles, two G-III rifles with one magazine, 42 Maghull PMAG D-60 magazines, 20 empty M4 magazines and 40 empty AK-47 magazines.
The seizure also comprised 18 Turkish-made Tissa Zigara pistols, each accompanied by two magazines, along with 30 Beretta pistols, including 25 US-made and five Italian-made weapons.
Customs officials further recovered two unmarked shot pistols and 120 Chinese-made 30-bore pistols from the vehicle.
