KHYBER AGENCY: Large numbers of Saudi riyals, UAE dirhams and US dollars were recovered from currency pushers when custom officials foiled bids to smuggle foreign currency from Pakistan to Afghanistan at the Torkham border yesterday.
Custom superintendent, Naeem Khan said on Tuesday that on the directions of Collector Peshawar that some elements would make an attempt of smuggling currency from Pakistan to Afghanistan, strict security measures were adopted and the officials were put on high alert at the Pak-Afghan sharing Torkham.
He said on Monday night 0.1 million Saudi riyals and 0.1 million UAE dirhams were recovered from an Afghanistan bound passenger during routine checking, concealed in his luggage. Similarly another smuggling bid occurred on Tuesday, custom officials added that 0.4 millions Saudi riyal and 40,000 US dollars were recovered from an Afghan currency smuggler who was taking it illegally to Afghanistan.
Three currency smugglers identified as Shamel Khan, Jidatullah and Saeed were arrested and cases were registered against them.
The seized currency and the allegedly criminals were shifted to custom house, Peshawar for further investigation, the official stated.
Published in Daily Times, June 21st, 2017.
