KARACHI: Police on Sunday claimed to have foiled a major inter-provincial smuggling attempt by seizing three tonnes of smuggled betel nut.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza said that the Keamari police intercepted a suspicious truck arriving from Hub at the Mochko check post. Upon inspection, the vehicle was reportedly loaded with 340 cement bags. However, a thorough check revealed that 147 of these bags were fraudulently used to conceal high-grade betel nuts, with each concealed bag weighing approximately 20 kilograms.

The total recovery amounted to 3,001kg (three tonnes) of betel nut intended for illegal distribution across various localities of Karachi.

“Initial investigations indicate that the consignment was destined for the manufacturing and sale of gutka, mawa, and other illicit chewing substances, posing serious health risks and contributing to the socio-medical deterioration of urban populations, particularly youth,” said the DIG.

The driver, identified as Muhammad Naseer, was arrested and the seized vehicle and contraband had been taken into custody and were being handed over to Pakistan Customs for further legal proceedings.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2025