FAISALABAD: The Customs Intelligence and Investigation has confiscated 196 rolls of foreign origin knitted fabric worth Rs 275,000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs 150,000.
Additional Director Azmat Tahira received information through Deputy Director Muhammad Riaz Hussain. Following the information, she formed an intelligence team comprising Intelligence Officer Naseer Ahmed, Muhammad Saleem, Mansoor Nasir, and sepoys Mukhtar Ahmed, Khalil Ahmed, Muhammad Rafique and Israr Ahmed.
The them conducted a raid near Faisalabad Railway Station parcel godown and recovered foreign origin fabric from the godown. The team asked the accused persons namely Muhammad Ihsan who is incharge of M/s Gujrat Rail Cargo Service, Faisalabad to produce relevant documents.
He presented a receipt No, 230641/07 for transportation of cloth from Karachi to Faisalabad issued by M/s Gujrat Rail Cargo Service, Karachi. The receipt showed Aqeel Younas as consignee and Aqeel Ahmed as consigner.
On the spot, he could not produce any documents regarding legal import or lawful possession in respect of recovered cloth. The customs confiscated the cloth under Section 2(s), 16 and 168 of the Customs Act, 1969 and 3(1), and 3(3), of the Import and Export Control Act, 1950 punishable under section 156(1) 89 ibid.
Later, two persons, Bilal Azhar and Abdul Wahab appeared in the office and claimed the ownership of smuggled cloth. They also submitted affidavits on stamp papers separately showing their willingness to pay duty/taxes leviable thereon. The seizure report has been sent to adjudication for further legal action.
