In one of its biggest operations yet, the Marine Enforcement Unit of the Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement), Karachi, seized three wooden boats carrying 132,564 litres of Iranian-origin High-Speed Diesel (HSD).
The raid took place during the night between October 9 and 10, 2025, and is being hailed as a breakthrough in the department’s anti-smuggling efforts.
Officials said the action was launched after credible intelligence was received about the movement of smuggled fuel along Pakistan’s coastal routes. Acting on the tip-off, a Marine Enforcement team led by Preventive Officers Ayaz Ali and Saleem Yusuf set out to intercept the vessels.
After a coordinated chase, the officers caught all three boats near Somiani and Phor/Sapat areas and brought them safely to the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) office at Karachi Port without any casualties or damage.
The seized diesel was valued at Rs33.14 million, while the wooden launches were worth Rs45 million, bringing the total value of the confiscation to Rs78.14 million.
Customs officials confirmed it was the largest seizure of petroleum products ever made by the Marine Unit.
Just a month earlier, in September 2025, the same team had recovered 18,271 litres and 29,272 litres of smuggled HSD in separate operations near Ormara and Sonmiani Bay.
Authorities said the repeated successes reflect the Marine Unit’s improved surveillance, coordination, and operational efficiency despite limited resources.
The Collectorate of Customs praised the team’s professionalism, calling the operation an example of “exceptional teamwork and maritime discipline,” and reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen maritime enforcement to protect national revenue and curb organized smuggling.