Two custom officers arrested over alleged silver bullion swap in Quetta

Pakistan's customs authority has arrested two of its own preventive officers on suspicion of replacing nearly 400 kilograms of seized silver bullion with lead during an official transfer, 24 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday. 

According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers Arif Ali Juman and Samiullah Achakzai were taken into custody on suspicion of substituting genuine silver biscuits with lead during a regulated transfer from Quetta to Lahore.

The officials had been assigned responsibility for the secure transportation of the seized precious metal.

The consignment, comprising 36 sealed boxes of silver, was handed over to them from the State Warehouse in Quetta.

The shipment was later flown to the Pakistan Mint in Lahore, where it was opened in the presence of customs officials and mint staff.

A detailed inspection revealed that out of 688 kilograms of material, 400 kilograms of silver were allegedly fake.

The FBR said preliminary findings suggest the officers deliberately tampered with the consignment during transit.

Following the discovery, a criminal case was registered against both officials, who were subsequently arrested.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine whether other individuals or officials were involved in the alleged misconduct.