Attempt to illegally import over 8,300 kg polythene bags foiled

KATHUA: The Excise and Taxation department foiled two attempts of illegally importing polythene bags in Jammu and Kashmir by recovering over 8,300 kg of such bags here today.

Two attempts to smuggle 8,310 kg of polythene bags was thwarted at the Lakhanpur toll plaza today.

"In one instance we found that a truck, on its way to Kathua from Pathankot, was loaded with 400 bags of wheat which was also been loaded with 120 bags full of polythene bags containing 8,230 kg of poly bags," a spokesman of the department said.

He said that in another attempt 80 kg of polythene bags were recovered from a car that was on its way to Kathua from Punjab.

The consignment was later handed over to the pollution control board, Kathua for proper disposal, he said.

The sale and use of polythene bags has been banned by the government in the state, the spokesman said, adding, the drivers of both the vehicles have been detained by the excise department and will later be handed over to police.