KARACHI: Collectorate of Customs Appraisement East has lodged two separate FIRs against a number of accused for attempting to clear banned and restricted goods through mis-declaring the description, PCT heading and quantity of the imported goods.
According to sources, information was received that M/s Al Aswed Associates imported consignments declared to contain shippers load, count & seal used cloth manifested to have been shipped from Ningbo, China.
The information further revealed that the importers in active connivance with their clearing agents and other accomplices mis-declared the description, quantity, origin and classification of the imported goods by submitting false, fake and fabricated information to evade legitimate government revenue.
The examination of the subject consignments found the goods to be polyester plane pile fabric in rolls and velvet prayer mats instead of declared used clothing.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that M/s United Marine Agencies filed Impart General Manifest (IGM) of this consignment with incorrect information and committed a fraud by issuing false bill of lading by mentioning incorrect description of the goods.
FIRS have been lodged against Imran Haroon of M/s Al-Aswed Associates, clearing agent Qaiser Abbas, Muhammad Idrees, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ahsan and others. Investigations are underway.
It may be mentioned here that Appraisement East has already lodged four FIRS regarding import and clearance of high value goods through green channel in the garb of used clothing.
Collector Appraisement East Nadeem Memon has already issued directives to examine all used clothing consignments to thwart attempts of smuggling through mis-declaration and under-invoicing.
