KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspect Muhammad Rashid son of Fazal-ur-Rehman, representative of M/s Al-Asghar Goods Transport Co Karachi, who was allegedly involved in a case of attempting to smuggle 15,000 kg monosodium glutamate (ajinomoto salt).
On 16 March 2020, counsel for the accused filed bail application and argued that his client is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trail, therefore, court may grant him bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, court granted bail to suspect against the surety of Rs100,000 and directed him to appear on next date of hearing or otherwise.
According to the prosecution, investigation officer of Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) appeared and submitted interim charge sheet against the above mentioned suspect and informed that an information was received to the effect that foreign origin smuggled monisodium glutamate (ajinomoto salt) which is hazardous for health and the Supreme Court of Pakistan has banned its sales, import into the country, had arrived from Quetta and dumped/ secreted at the godown of M/s Pak International Goods Transport Co, West Wharf Road Karachi for further shifted within the city area.
He further submitted that the ASO team reached at M/s Al Asghar Goods Transport Co, Qaid-e-Azam Truck Stand, Hawks Bay Road Karachi and recovered 600 pp bags containing Monosodium Glutamate (Ajinomoto Salt) bearing marks as LINGHUA made in China, each pp bag containing 25 kg, total 15,000 kg valuing of Rs. 6,000,000 (tentative).
Investigation officer said that during the search, above mentioned suspect was asked to produce lawful documents of said goods, however, he failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, he was arrested and goods were seized by the customs officials.
According to the prosecution case was registered against them for violation under section 2(s) 32, 121, 128 & 178 of the customs act, 1969 punishable under clauses 8, 14, 63, 64, 89, 90 of section 156(i) ibid.
