Customs Enforcement Karachi has seized smuggled mobile phones valued at Rs 96 million along with a tampered Toyota Prado that had been modified to conceal the contraband, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.
According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the vehicle was intercepted during an operation after officers noticed irregularities during inspection.
Initial examination revealed suspicious welding marks on the bonnet, front bumper and side fender, prompting a detailed technical assessment.
Officials said the scrutiny uncovered five specially engineered hidden compartments within the vehicle’s body, designed for high-value smuggling operations.
From these compartments, customs officials recovered 564 mobile phones, including models from Google Pixel and Motorola.
A subsequent forensic audit confirmed that the Prado had been tampered with and was not duty-paid, further strengthening the case for seizure under the Customs Act 1969 and import regulations.
The FBR stated that an FIR has been registered and investigations are underway to uncover the broader smuggling network behind the operation.
Authorities expect the probe to lead to additional arrests and further seizures as the case expands.
Reporter: Waqas Azeem