KARACHI: Investigation officer of Collectorate of Customs Enforcement & Compliance has sought further time for arrest of suspects who were allegedly involved for smuggling of contraband goods including betel nuts etc.
On 8 July 2021, during the hearing, the investigation officer appeared before the court and argued that prosecution is trying its best for the arrest of suspects, who are involved in smuggling and they will be produced before the court when arrested, therefore, court may grant further time for their arrest.
Earlier, the investigation office submitted first information report (FIR) before the court and informed that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted a black-colored Toyota Vigo bearing fancy registration no QAM 3601 (Govt of Balochistan), instead of stopping, the driver accelerated the speed of the vehicle.
He further informed that customs officials chased the said vehicle during which the driver of the said vehicle smashed his vehicle into the official’s vehicle of customs, ultimately after covering some distance, the driver of the said vehicle escaped.
Investigation officer states that during the search, customs officials found 53 pp bags each weighing 20 kgs & 20 pp bags each weighing 10 kgs containing of foreign origin smuggled betel nuts, total weighing 1260 kgs valuing of Rs1,512,000. 100 packets each having 100 pouches total 10,000 pouches containing Indian origin smuggled Gutka valuing Rs200,000.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) of the customs act, 1969 read with sections 156(2), 157(2) 178 & 187 ibid, further read with section 3 (i) of the imports & exports control act, 1950 punitive action for which is provided under clause (89) (i) of section 156 (i) of the customs act, 1969.
