FAISALABAD: Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Saima Ayaz ordered the release of impounded foreign origin shelled almonds on the payment of taxable duty and taxes and a fine equivalent to 20 percent of the appraised value besides also releasing a vehicle against a fine of Rs50000.
The Faisalabad Customs Intelligence and Investigation Deputy Director received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of shelled almonds from Peshawar through a Hino truck. The raiding party set up a picket at Sargodha Road, Faisalabad Toll Plaza, and intercepted a Hino truck. A thorough search of the said vehicle led to the recovery of contraband shelled almonds.
Driver of the said vehicle and owner of the goods were identified as Rizwan Afzal and Tayyab Ramzan. They were asked to show documents regarding the legal import of item but they failed to produce the same.
So the shelled almonds were impounded under Section 168 of the Customs Act-1969 after a proper documentation on the spot and a notice was served under Section 171 of the Customs Act-1969 Punishable under Section 156 (1)(89)(90) of the Act 1969 upon the said accused persons. The said Hino truck used for transportation of smuggled goods was also impounded under the customs bylaws.
The case was sent to the Customs Adjudication where respondents appeared in persons and expressed willingness to pay the taxable duty and taxes. They also requested that the vehicle may be released on a reasonable fine.
Deputy Collector Adjudication Saima Ayaz reviewed the record of the case and considered verbal submissions put forth by the respondents and prosecution and came to a conclusion that the respondents have failed to provide valid legal documents regarding the lawful import of the aforementioned seized foreign origin shelled almonds.
She decided to seize the item under the customs bylaws. She also granted an option to the rightful owners in terms of Section 181 of the Customs Act-1969 to redeem the same on the payment of duty and taxes plus a redemption fine equivalent to 20 percent of the appraised value. She also ordered the release of the aforementioned offending vehicle against a penalty of Rs50000.
