KARACHI: The Customs Court approved physical remand of suspects namely Asghar Khan son of Abdul Ghaffar and Shah Jahan son of Rahmat Shah and sent them to customs lock-up, who were arrested in the first information report (FIR) for smuggling of contraband goods into Pakistan.
On 28 January 2021, investigation officer produced the above mentioned suspects before the court and informed the court that intelligence unit of the Collectorate received a tip-off that smuggled/ non-duty paid betel nuts are being transported from Lahore towards through a truck having fake registration number plate no LSB-2065 via National Highway.
He further submitted that as per directions by the competent authority, a team of ASO was constituted to foil the attempt of smuggling of non-duty paid/ smuggled betel nuts.
According to the investigation officer, team intercepted the same and during the search, recovered foreign origin betel nuts crushed containing 80 kattas weighing 2,000 kg valuing of Rs22,00,000 and after the search, above mentioned suspects were asked to produce lawful documents, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, customs officials seized the goods along with vehicle and suspects also were taken into customs custody.
He stated that prosecution needs further investigation from arrested persons, therefore, the court may grant their physical remand, after the hearing, court approved their remand and directed the investigation officer to re-produce them on the next date of hearing along with progress report.
