KARACHI: The Customs Court approved physical remand of suspects namely Abdul Wali son Abdul Karim and Anaar Gul son of Lal Gul and sent them back to customs lock-up, who were nominated in the first information report (FIR) for smuggling of contraband goods into Pakistan.
On 9 January 2021, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that a credible information was received at the directorate general of intelligence & investigation-customs to the effect that huge quantity of smuggled non duty paid foreign origin betel nuts, would be transported under the garb of wheat straw through Hino truck from Quetta to Karachi for its illegal sales and disposal in the open market at Karachi.
He further informed the court the in pursuance of the said information, a team of officers of ASO was constituted to foil the attempt of transportation of the smuggled/ non duty paid betel nuts.
He stated that a team of customs department intercepted Hino truck bearing registration no TKE-349 and during the search, recovered 16,700 kg betel nuts worth Rs13,360,000 and 2,200 kg wheat straw valuing of Rs55,000 and above-mentioned suspects were asked to produce lawful documents, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, customs officials seized goods along with vehicle and suspects were also taken into custody and first information report has been lodged accordingly.
Investigation officer submitted that prosecution needs further investigation from them therefore, the court may send them back to customs lock-up, after the hearing, court approves their physical remand and directs the investigation officer to produce them on the next date of hearing along with a progress report.
