The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration unit stopped a smuggling attempt at Islamabad International Airport, seizing a large number of mobile phones from two passengers who had come from Dubai. The illegal trade of phones not approved by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is a growing problem in the country, with these smuggled phones being sold illegally in cities and online.
The two suspects, named Babar Ayub and Muhammad Salman, seemed suspicious during their departure from Dubai. FIA officials acted quickly and thoroughly checked their luggage, where they found a hidden stash of illegal goods.
Inside the luggage, the FIA team found 50 expensive mobile phones, along with 100 cables and three Apple MacBooks, hidden cleverly among packets of dates. These confiscated items were worth millions of rupees, showing the scale of the smuggling operation.
The FIA promptly handed over Ayub and Salman to customs officials for further investigation and legal action. They now face serious consequences for their alleged involvement in smuggling.
This recent action by the FIA is similar to a previous success at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, where Pakistan Customs officers found and seized 51 mobile phones worth Rs 27.6 million from three passengers arriving from Dubai. In that case, the smuggled phones were hidden in the suspects’ clothing inside their suitcases.
These actions by law enforcement are crucial in stopping illegal activities at airports and protecting the country’s interests.
