Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 16: Continuing its drive against smugglers, the sleuths of Excise Department thwarted another attempt of smuggling of willow clefts outside the State after seizing 4250 willow clefts at Lakhanpur Toll Post.
According to Deputy Commissioner Excise Rajesh Sharma a vehicle bearing registration No.JK03E-3624 reported at Toll Post Lakhanpur for assessment of the goods and as per the documents enclosed the vehicle was shown loaded with Apples consigned by Gh. Nabi Dar & Sons Noorpora, Awantipora Kashmir to M/s Seth & Company, B 177, Azadpur, Delhi, vide Challan No.107 dated 14-08-2015.
He said the officials at Toll Post became suspicious and , when the vehicle was put to physical check, it was found loaded with willow clefts. The instant attempt has been aimed at exporting willow clefts which is the raw material for manufacturing cricket bats, he added.
The driver of the vehicle namely Fayaz Ahmed Sheikh S/o Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh R/o Chursoo Awantipora along with the owner of the vehicle namely Nadeem Ahmad Sofi S/o Gull Mohammad Sofi R/o Marhama, Sangam, Bijbehara and another accomplice M. Aaqib Sheikh S/o Ghulam Nabi Sheikh R/o Chursoo Awantipora, were apprehended by the active sleuths of Excise and duly assisted by the local Police personnel. The vehicle alongwith the goods (willow clefts) has been seized by the Police Department. The team of the Excise Department that performed the task comprised of Excise & Taxation officers Virender Singh Billoria, Shamsu Duha, Rohit Sharma, Inspectors. G.P.Singh, Swaran Singh, Harish Sharma, Sub Inspectors, Ravi Kumar, Bhagwan Dass and Excise Guards Sohan Lal, Vinay Kumar, Ashwani Kumar and Nihal Singh. The team was fully assisted by police party led by Kuljeet Singh, Dy. SP (DAR) & Anuroop Sharma, SHO, Lakhanpur.
Meanwhile, 180 kgs of Polythene which was being imported in the garb of non woven fabrics consigned to M/s Metro Prints Jullaka Mohalla Jammu. The consignment was being carried in the vehicle bearing number JK02AA-7410 carrying goods for NITCO Roadways. The penalty under rules was imposed and the vehicle along with goods has been referred to Pollution Control Board for initiating further action.
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