KARACHI: The Customs Court has directed investigation officer to complete investigation and submit a final charge sheet against owners/ partners of M/s Insiya Packaging, Muhammad Hanif, proprietor of M/s Getco Agencies and others. The suspects were booked in a case of fraudulent clearance of betel nuts in the garb of raw material for processing at Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ).
During the hearing, the investigation officer appeared before the court and sought further time to submit a final charge sheet in this case; therefore, the court granted time and adjourned the matter.
Earlier, investigation officer had submitted initial reports in two separates FIRs and informed the court that during the investigation and circumstances, it was established that the importers, with the active connivance of their clearing agent and other associates, deliberately mis-declared description of the impugned goods and tried to replace the imported goods with other ones with an intent to get illegal clearance of betel nuts in the garb of raw material and also evading legitimate amount of taxes.
He further informed the court that a gang of culprits is engaged since long in illegal removal of the imported goods en route to KEPZ in an organized manner with the connivance of some black sheep in the customs department, role of tracking company is also very much suspicious in this case.
Investigation officer stated that cases were registered against them for violation of under section 2 (s) 16, 32A, 79 and 121 of the Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clauses 8 (i) 9, 14A, 43, 44, 45 and 63 of section 156 (1) ibid read with allied laws procedures and prosecution is trying its best for arrest of above mentioned suspects.
After the hearing, court took FIRs into it’s record and directed him to complete investigation and submit charge sheet against above-mentioned suspects on next date of hearing.
