KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspects namely Rehan, Sarfarz Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Iqbal and Sher Ali Khan to customs preventive on physical remand in a case of attempting to smuggle 55,800 kilograms betel nuts.
On December 31, 2018, investigation officer produced the above-mentioned suspects before the court and informed that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted three Mazda mini trucks bearing registration nos: PS-3684, PX-3786 and JZ-0935 near Chawala Godown, Main Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur Road, Karachi.
He further disclosed that during the search, customs officials recovered 930 gunny bags each weighing 60 kilogram, bearing marks MSH but containing foreign origin betel nuts weighing 55,800 kilogram worth Rs15,624,000.
He further submitted that during the spot, suspects were asked to produce any documents of said goods, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, customs officials seized the same and suspects were also taken into customs custody.
He said that prosecution needs further investigations from them for the arrest of financiers, abettors and others (yet to be ascertained during the investigation) therefore, the court may send them back to the customs department. After the hearing, the court sent them back to the customs department and directed investigation officer to produce them on the next date of hearing before the court along with the progress report.
