Customs authorities have opened a unit here to keep a close watch on suspicious elements along the East Coast and prevent the smuggling of drugs, foreign gold biscuits, fake currency and cigarettes.
The Customs Preventive Division and Shore Guard Customs Preventive (SGCP) unit was today inaugurated at Watlair Uplands here.
The office, opened by Customs Commissionerate based at Vijayawada which looks after preventive measures, will help in keeping a close watch on suspicious elements along the East Coast and prevent the smuggling of drugs, foreign gold biscuits, counterfeit currency and cigarettes, officials said.
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The new facility will be headed by Assistant Commissioner G Srinivas Muralidhar.
Talking to reporters, Commissioner S Khader Rahman said Andhra Pradesh now has three such divisions - the other two being located at Kakinada and Ongole.
The new division will look after all the areas in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts barring the municipal regions.
Rahman said their main aim was to sensitise traders and others on how to prevent smuggling activity.
Authorities have seized 27 gold biscuits and Rs 1.35 crore in cash since the opening of the preventive wing's Commissionerate in Vijayawada, he said.
Apart from the gold and cash, foreign cigarettes worth lakhs of rupees and some counterfeit currency were also impounded, the official added.
