KARACHI: The Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) of Air Freight Unit (AFU), MCC-Preventive has made the seizure report against accused Sajid Fiaz Cheema for his involvement in a foiled bid to smuggle 218 freshwater black spotted pond turtles at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
In the report, it was revealed that passenger Sajid Fiaz Cheema, holding Pakistani passport No. AC-4156274, was leaving for Bangkok via Doha by Qatar Airways Flight No. QR-119 from Karachi. He was asked to declare if he was carrying any contraband/prohibited goods.
Being dissatisfied with his declaration, his baggage comprising two suitcases were examined in presence of two SPOs Customs, Imtiaz Ali and Muhammad Ali Khan. Upon examination, 218 assorted-size live turtles worth Rs 10,900 each were found packed in cloth bags. The turtles being protected species under various local/international conventions such as Appendix-II of the cities and Pakistan Trade Control Act of Wild Flora and Fauna Act 2012 were detained as its export from Pakistan was not allowed.
Subsequently, a ‘musheernama’ in this effect was prepared on the spot and live turtles were handed over to the Sindh Wildlife Department.
An official of DEC informed Customs Today that the accused, hailed from Tehsil Wazirabad, District Gujranwala, was released on a personal bond while adjudication proceedings at collectorate level are being carried out against him, as he has violated Section 16 of Customs Act 1969. A notice under Section 171 of the Customs Act 1969 has also been issued to him.
