KARACHI: The Customs Court directed the investigation officer of customs department to complete investigation and submit progress reports against suspects namely Asghar Khan son of Abdul Ghaffar and Shah Jahan son of Rahmat Shah, who were nominated in the first information report (FIR) for smuggling of contraband goods into Pakistan.
On 3 February 2021, investigation officer re-produced the above mentioned suspects before the court and informed the court that intelligent unit of customs 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 and 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.
He further has informed the court that team intercepted the same and during the search, recovered foreign origin betel nuts crushed containing 80 kattas weighing 2,000 kg valuing of Rs, 22,00,000 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.
After the hearing, the court sent them to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand and directed the investigation officer to complete the investigation and submit progress report on the next date of hearing.
