Jammu and Kashmir Excise department (JKED) has foiled a bid to smuggle 4250 willow clefts and arrested three people at Lakahnpur Inter-state toll plaza in Kathua district.
The sleuths of Excise department thwarted another attempt of smuggling of willow clefts to outside the state and held three people including owner and seized truck with 4250 willow clefts at Lakhanpur today, Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Toll Post Lakhanpur said.
A vehicle 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 Nabi Dar & Sons Noorpora, Awantipora Kashmir to Seth & Company, Azadpur,Delhi, vide Challan No.107 dated 14-08-2015, he said.
However, when the vehicle was put to physical check, it was found loaded with willow clefts, he said adding that the instant attempt has been aimed at exporting willow clefts which is the raw material for manufacturing cricket bats.
The driver of the vehicle namely Fayaz Ahmed Sheikh of Awantipora along with the owner of the vehicle Nadeem Ahmad Sofi of Bijbehara and another accomplice Aaqib Sheikh of Awantipora, were apprehended by the active sleuths of Excise and duly assisted by the local Police personnel, Sharma said.
The vehicle along with the goods (willow clefts) has been seized by the Police department, he said adding that the team of the Excise Department.
The Deputy Excise Commisioioner has lauded the role of officers and officials engaged in nabbing the evaders and smugglers and impressed upon the staff to perform their duties with zeal and dedication.
