KARACHI: Pakistan Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized a huge consignment of 17 containers to be re-exported to Germany through Model Customs Collectorate Port Qasim-Exports.
Following the directives of Customs Intelligence Director General Lutfullah Virk, Customs Intelligence Karachi took action and seized a consignment of 17 containers.
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This was disclosed during a press conference by Customs Intelligence Karachi Director Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui. According to details, customs received information that containers belonging to the ISAF were containing goods other than the declaration made in export documents of customs. The containers lying at Port Qasim-Exports for the last four months were not being exported.
Acting on the information, a team of customs officials, led by Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan and Assistant Director Kaleemullah, visited the Collectorate of Port Qasim-Exports. During the visit the containers were found at the collectorate.
Bonded carrier and the clearing agent were summoned and asked to explain the reason why the containers were still lying at the port and were not exported. They could not provide a satisfactory explanation.
According to the export declaration, batteries and tube lights filled with acid were declared in 8 containers. However, physical examination revealed that wooden pallets and concrete bricks were loaded in the same.
Therefore, the information proved authentic that actual goods to be exported were removed or tampered with. These eight containers were therefore seized after fulfilling the legal formalities under Customs Act, 1969.
The director further said that these goods of ISAF forces were sent from Torkham Custom Station Peshawar and were being re-exported to Germany through Port Qasim-Exports by bonded carrier M/s. Port Connection (Pvt) Limited, Karachi.
The representative of the bonded carrier has been arrested and more detentions are expected. Director further told that nine containers loaded with drums having hazardous material have also been taken into custody and will be examined with the help of the department concerned, from the safety point of view. One container blocked by the ANF has not been taken into custody.
Customs Intelligence Karachi Director Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui said that an FIR has been lodged and further investigation is underway.
