KARACHI: Shahrah-e-Faisal Police in a raid here on Wednesday retrieved 4,736 donkey hides worth Rs 118.4 million from the possession of a gang of smugglers, comprising Chinese and Pakistani nationals.

On the basis of confirmed information that a huge stock of hides, intended to be smuggled to China, by a group led by accused Tu Zhong Xiao and stored in a shop located in Gulistan-e-Jauhar was raided, said concerned police officers in a media briefing.

During the process 592 sacks, each containing eight donkey hides, were said to be recovered while each hide was estimated to be worth Rs.25, 000 in the international market.

The officers said three of the main members of the gang including accused Tu Zhong Xiao, Afshan w/o Ehtesham Ahmed Ali, Ehtesham Ahmed Ali s/o Shamim Ahmed Zaidi and Muhammad Daanial s/o Shakil Khan were arrested during the raid.

Steps were said to be taken for the arrest of accused Muzzafar Abidi, Farooq Memon Muzzafar and Rafi- reportedly also among the main culprits of the crime.

Besides the four arrested members of the gang accused Muhammad Juman s/o Umeed Ali, a driver who carried hides from cargo offices to godown; Helper Muhammad Faisal s/o Muhammad Ibrahim and Loader Zeeshan s/o Patras were also taken into police custody, from the spot, on charge of assisting the alleged criminals.

The officers said that arrests were made under Section 54 while hides were confiscated under Section 550.—APP