Pakistan Customs Seizes Over 50,000 Tablets Worth Rs8 Million from Female Passenger at Karachi Airport

KARACHI, October 19: Pakistan Customs has seized 50,340 tablets of foreign-origin medicine worth more than Rs8 million from a female passenger arriving at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, from Muscat.

According to Customs officials, the seizure was made at around 5:00 a.m. on October 18, 2026, following credible information about the possible smuggling of restricted medicines into Pakistan.

The passenger, who arrived on a Salam Air flight from Muscat, was intercepted by Customs officials at the international arrivals area. A search of her luggage, comprising two large blue trolley bags and one handbag, led to the recovery of 50,340 tablets of Furolin (Nitrofurantoin) 100 mg.

The recovered medicine was assessed to be worth approximately Rs8,054,400.

Officials said the import of the medicine was subject to restrictions and required certification from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The consignment was therefore seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the case.

Customs officials further stated that the woman was a frequent international traveller and had been nominated in various criminal cases registered at other airport customs collectorates.

The investigation is underway.