KARACHI: The Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has submitted another First Information Report (FIR) before the Customs Court against suspects namely Muhammad Shoaib Arshad, owner of M/s City Steel UAE Mills (Private) Limited, Muhammad Arshad, owner of M/s A.F Enterprises, Muhammad Tariq, Sohrab Khan, Amjad Khan and others. The suspects were booked in a betel nuts smuggling case which they had imported in the garb of waste and cast iron scrap.
During the hearing, the investigation officer appeared before the court and submitted the first information report. According to the FIR, an ASO team found two containers near Shan Chowrangi, Korani Road, Karachi, which were stopped. The divers presented the documents of 14 containers, including these two containers, which were cleared from MCC Port Qasim.
The investigation officer further informed the court that during the search, the customs officials recovered 80,025 kilogram betel nuts worth Rs 200 million.
He said that it was established beyond doubt that the suspects were involved in smuggling of the contraband betel nuts under the garb of waste and scrap of iron. They got the betel nuts cleared under HS Code 7204.4100. Hence they have, individually and collectively, violated the customs laws.
He further informed the court that case was registered against the above mentioned suspects and investigation of the case is in progress to unearth the all sinister elements involved in this crime.
After the hearing, court has taken FIR into court record and directed investigation officer to complete investigation including arrest of suspects and file progress report on next date of hearing.
