LAHORE: The Special Federal Court of the Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Organization has adjourned the hearing of mobile-phone smuggling case.
Earlier, the court had approved of extension in judicial remand of an accused who was arrested by the customs authorities from the Allama Iqbal International Airport while making an attempt to smuggle cell-phones from China to Lahore.
The investigation and prosecution team of Customs Lahore had presented accused Naveed Bhatti before the special court and asked for physical remand of five days to investigate him and other persons involved in his attempt of smuggling. After the completion of physical remand, the court sent him to jail for judicial trial which is further extendable for 14 days.
As per sources of Customs Today, Naveed Bhatti was arrested by the Customs Preventive when they seized 170 android mobile phones from his luggage at Lahore airport. As per sources, the customs authorities intercepted accused Naveed Bhatti while he was using green channel and was asked if he had anything illegal.
The mobile phones were hidden in the bottles of water which the passenger claimed he brought from Saudi Arabia, it was added. The sources said the total value of the mobile phones has been estimated Rs05million.
The customs authorities, confiscating the mobiles, have registered a case against him. Further investigation is underway.