KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspects namely Rehan, Sarfarz Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Iqbal and Sher Ali Khan, who were involved in a case of attempting to smuggle 55,800 kg betel nuts.
On Jan 17, 2019 , counsel for the accused moved bail petitions and argued that their clients are innocents and falsely implicated in this case and offence does not fall within the prohibitory clause of section 497 Cr. PC, therefore, court may grant their bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, court granted their bail against the surety of Rs200,000 each and directed them to appear on next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, on an actionable information customs officials intercepted three Mazda mini trucks bearing registration no: PS-3684, PX-3786 and JZ-0935 near Chawala Godown, Main Hawks Bay Road, Mauripur Road, Karachi. During the search, customs team recovered 930 gunny bags each weighing 60 kilograms, hearing marks MSH containing foreign origin betel nuts total weighing 55,800 kilograms worth Rs15,624,000. The suspects were asked to produce any documents of said goods, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, customs officials seized the same and suspects were also taken into customs custody.
Investigation officer had argued that in the light of investigation, it is established that the syndicates were in possession of two containers which were being utilized reportedly for the transportation of seized betel nuts stuffed therein to the local market of Karachi or some other markets in the country. Moreover, efforts are afoot to locate other three missing containers.
