KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has accepted an interim challan of suspects, Haji Shafi, Sher Muhammad and Muhammad, who were allegedly involved in smuggling of contraband foreign origin cigarettes by evading duty and taxes amounting to Rs 3.343 million.
During the hearing, Hyderabad Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Deputy Superintendent Anwar Ahmed submitted the interim challan in which he informed the court that credible information was received regarding existence of foreign origin cigarettes etc in an area of Hyderabad.
A team of ASO raided the same and recovered 4,900 cartons of cigarettes of different brands, 47 bags of Indian origin gutka and other items from the possession of accused persons.
According to the interim challan, after fulfilling all formalities, officials seized the said goods and accused persons were taken into the custody. FIR No 15-15/2016 dated March 31, 2016 was registered by Inspector Waqar Ahmed under Section 2 (s) 16 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with SRO 566/2005 dated June 06, 2005 punishable under clause (8) (a) (b) (c) (89) 92 Section 156 (1) of the Customs Act, 1969.
Investigation Officer Anwar Ahmed further informed the court that during the investigation accused persons were found involved in the heinous crime of smuggling.
In the interim challan, Muhammad Essa and Nisar Ahmed’s names were mentioned as witnesses.
It needs to be mentioned here that all three accused are on bail. Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi accepted the interim challan and adjourned the hearing for regular hearing.
