KARACHI: The Customs Court approved physical remand of suspects namely Syed Umer, Noor Muhammad Khan, Rahat Khan, Farman Ali, Momin Khan, Aziz Khan, Zahid Rehmat and Wajid Ali and sent them back to customs lock-up, who were arrested in a case of smuggling of 40,000 liter diesel oil via deep sea.
On 29 October 2020, investigation officer produced them before the court and submitted that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted wooden launch Al-Haram bearing registration no: BFD-15306 and during the search found 14 tanks which were fixed in the engine room of the launch and asked them to produce legal documents of the said diesel, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents.
He further submitted that after the formalities, customs officials seized the goods along with launch and suspects were also taken into customs custody.
He stated that prosecution needs further investigation for arrest of other culprits, therefore, court may approve their physical remand, after the hearing, court approved their physical remand and directed the investigation officer to produce them before the court on the next date of hearing along with a progress report.
According to the first information report, case was registered for violation of under section 2(s) 156(2), 157 (2) and 178 of customs act, 1969 punishable under clauses 8, 89 of section 156 (1)ibid read with section 3 of import & export control act, 1950.