KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-I has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) against the importer Health Care and Social Welfare Association (charitable organization) in its alleged involvement in importing medicines on fake import documents.
According to details, the Collector Dr Fareed Iqbal Qureshi in his judgment stated that the NGO has failed to provide any legal documentation regarding legitimate import of medicines involving taxes amounting to Rs 8.4 million.
In the judgment, the Collector of Customs Adjudication-I was of the view that several intimations were sent to the importer Health Care & Social Welfare Association through show-cause notices in order to clear its stance over the import of medicines on fake documents but the importer did not reply or attend any hearing conducted into the case.
“Therefore, the adjudicating authority has reached at the point that allegations leveled against the importer Health Care & Social Welfare Association stand established and the case was decided on exparte, as none of the departmental representatives were present at any hearing conducted by the adjudicating Collectorate”, judgment stated.
The Collector of Customs Adjudication-I has also imposed a fine on the importer Health Care & Social Welfare Association in its alleged involvement in importing medicines on fake documents.
As per the details, the Air Freight Unit (AFU) of MCC Preventive has constituted a case as during examination of the consignments, the Customs authorities found that the importer Health Care & Social Welfare Association was involved in import of medicine and injections on fake import documents and is involved in tax evasion of Rs 8.4 million.
Later on, the Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-I issued Show Cause Notice (SCN) against the importer Health Care & Social Welfare Organization and clearing agent Ahmed & Company for presenting their view point over the tax evasion case.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Customs Today in its earlier publication has already reported that the authorities concerned of Adjudicating Collectorate are going to issue ONO against the importer Health Care & Social Welfare Association.
