ISLAMABAD: Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Ubaidullah has ordered to release the seized skimmed milk on the payment of leviable duty/taxes and fine equivalent to 30 percent of the appraised value, besides releasing carrier vehicle against a fine of Rs 30,000.
As per details, the Islamabad Customs Preventive assistant collector received information regarding smuggling of skimmed milk powder from Attock through a Toyota Hiace Van bearing Registration No LZR-2421.
To check the veracity of aforesaid information, a raiding party held check post at Hazro Toll Plaza and intercepted the reported Hiace van. A detailed search of the said vehicle led to the recovery of milk powder.
Driver of the said vehicle and owner of the goods identified themselves as Rashid Mehmood and Usman Waheed. They were asked to show documents regarding legal import of item but they failed to produce the same.
Therefore, the recovered skimmed milk powder was seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969 after proper documentation on the spot and a notice was served under Section 171 of the Customs Act 1969, Punishable under Section 156 (1)(89)(90) of the Act, 1969 upon the said accused persons. The said Toyota Hiace Van used as conveyance for transportation of smuggled goods was also impounded under the customs laws.
The case was sent to the Customs Adjudication where respondents appeared in persons and expressed willingness to pay leviable duty/taxes. They also requested that his vehicle may release on reasonable fine.
Deputy Collector Ubaidullah reviewed the record of the case and considered verbal submissions put forth by the respondents and prosecution and came to conclusion that the respondent have failed to provide valid legal documents regarding lawful import of the aforementioned seized foreign origin skimmed milk powder.
He decided to seize the milk powder under the customs laws. He also granted an option to the rightful owners in terms of Section 181 of the Customs Act, 1969 to redeem the same on payment of duty and taxes leviable thereon plus a redemption fine equivalent to 30 percent of the appraised value. He also ordered to release of the aforementioned offending vehicle against a penalty of Rs 30,000.
