The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration and the Ministry of Defense have signed an agreement for the ministry to provide the customs with new domestically-made cargo scanning equipment, IRICA’s news service reported on Monday. Based on the agreement, researchers at the defense establishment will equip the customs with five new truck cargo x-ray systems. The government has stepped up efforts to check smuggling that cost the country a whopping $15 billion last year – down by $10 billion according to Iran’s Anti-Smuggling Organization. The IRICA says it seized contraband worth 600 billion rials ($16.8 million) during the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 20, June 20), recording an 80% rise compared to the same period last year.
