Pakistan: The Pakistan Railways, Custom authorities and All Pakistan Cement Manufactures Association (APCMA) have decided to tighten security arrangements at the border with India following reports that heroin has been smuggled into India disguised as cement exports from Pakistan. The decision was made during a meeting between the three organisations.
Indian custom authorities have caught heroin from Pakistan cement four times within the last few months, according to APCMA sources. Proposed measures to improve security have included deploying more custom officials at the loading stations, further checks by officials and special locks for railway bogies.
According to the APCMA, despite increased demand for cement in India, exports from Pakistan have declined by 15.7% so far in 2011. Pakistan Railways have commented that the decision to tighten security arrangements at the border have been taken to save the country from 'defamation'.
