Custom officers empowered to seize assets of smugglers

In order to tighten the noose around smugglers, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has empowered Customs officers to confiscate the assets of the smugglers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

Customs officers can now take action against assets bought with the money got through smuggling.

As per the new powers, officers can confiscate the moveable and immoveable properties of the smugglers.

Amending the Custom rules, the FBR has issued SRO 2021 in this regard. The FBR is of the view that the properties bought with money from smuggling cannot be considered legal in any case and the Customs officers also reserve the right to auction such properties after a court order.