LAHORE: Working relationship between Federal Investigation Agency and Customs is not good now a days, what Customs Today has learnt in last two weeks.
The Federal Investigation Agency has started a compain against spurious drugs and other smuggled items and tried to take action against some Customs Officers after blaming them for supporting smugglers.
Customs has written a letter to FIA that FIA is not allowed to this action against smuggling and customs officials.The Customs department claimed that the FIA director was unauthorised to check smuggling on roads as these powers had been withheld in the past through an SRO.
A letter written by a Customs Deputy Collector to FIA Assistant Director reads: “It has come to the notice of this office that you, while assuming the powers of a Police Officer, have seized certain smuggled and non-duty paid goods under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969.
The Federal Board of Revenue, under Section 6 of the Customs Act, 1969, had passed on powers under various sections of the Act ibid to certain officers of Police vide notification No SRO 913(1)/86 dated 05.10.1986.However, the aforesaid notification was rescinded vide SRO 766(1)/2005 dated 30.07.2005.
Therefore, the officers of Police are no more authorised to act as an officer of Customs.
In view of the above legal prospect, you are advised to deposit the seized goods at Customs State Warehouse of MCC (Preventive), Lahore for initiating further proceedings under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969 by the appropriate officer of Customs.
Letter also says that FIA is not allowed to summon Customs officers under the section 1 of section 217 of customs act 1969. Director FIA earlier written a letter to Customs in this regard that Customs Today has reported.
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