KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect namely Waheed Ahmed son of Nisar Ahmed, owner of M/s Al-Waheed Impex Karachi, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle 180,400 kilograms non-duty paid betel nuts and other contraband goods, to customs lock-up on physical remand.
On September 11, 2018, Investigation Officer and Senior Preventive Officer Azhar Malik produced the above mentioned suspect before the court and informed that Customs Preventive received a tipoff to the effect that huge quantity of betel nuts has been smuggled into the country in the garb of import of waste paper scrap in pressed bundles shipped from Jeddah Saudi Arabia and after clearance from the Port Qasim, they would be shifted into different parts of the city, Karachi.
He further informed that information source further confirmed that five containers out of a lot of 13 containers cleared from Port Qasim, dated 06/09/2018 have been dumped at the M/s Bhatti near Maripur truck Adda, Karachi and where from the smuggled goods would be shifted to other places shortly.
Investigation officer further said that on that information, customs officials visited the spotted area and observed that process of unloading of betel nuts from containers was in progress, therefore, customs officials completed formalities and seized 180,400 kilograms betel nuts, 166,100 kilogram paper scrap in pressed bundles and also two Suzuki pick-ups and 14 containers.
He further stated that Ahsan Ullah Bhatti, clearing agent, Muhammad Irfan son of Muhammad Manzoor are absconders in this case and prosecution needs investigation from arrested suspect, therefore, court may grant his physical remand for further investigation and arrest of absconding suspects.
After the hearing, court granted his physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report.
