KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspects Juma Gul son of Abdullah and Noor Ahmed son of Gul Muhammad to jail on judicial remand in a case of attempting to smuggle 5000 kilograms betel nuts worth Rs1,400,000.
On January 7, 2019, investigation officer of Customs Preventive produced the above-mentioned suspects before the court and informed that on an actionable information, customs team intercepted a Hino mini truck bearing registration no: PT-0323 near Maripur Road which was being used for transportation of foreign origin smuggled/non duty paid betel nuts under the cover load with apples arrived from Quetta.
He further submitted that during the search of the said truck, customs team found 200 crates each containing 25 kilograms foreign origin betel nuts total 5000 kilograms under the cover load of crates of apples and 180 crates of apple (local) weighing 3240 kg used as cover load to camouflage the smuggled betel nuts.
He said that prosecution needs further interrogations from them, therefore, the court may send them back to customs department on physical remand, however, the court sent them to jail and directed investigation officer to complete investigations and submit charge sheet on next date of hearing.
The case was registered for violation of under Section 2 (s) 156(2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clauses 89 of Section 156 (1) ibid read with Section 3 (1) of Import & Export Control Act, 1950.
