KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent two suspects, Salahuddin and Abdul Hadi, to the Customs Department on physical remand in betel nuts smuggling case.
During the hearing, investigation officer of the Customs Department produced the suspects before the court and informed that a customs team intercepted a Hino passenger bus bearing registration number BSA-407 near Choke Point at Moachko Karachi and seized 45,000 kilogram betel nuts worth Rs 11.2 million.
He further informed the court that the suspects were asked to produce lawful documents of betel nuts, but they failed on which the customs team arrested them and registered a case against them.
He further informed the court that during the investigation, it has been established beyond any iota of doubt that said suspect in collusion with other accomplices in crime have indulged smuggling of above mentioned contraband betel nuts with the intention to get illegal disposal of the restricted items also evading legitimate amount of duties and, they have, thus, contravened provision of section 2 (s) 16, 32A, and 79 of the Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clauses 1,8 (i), 9, 14 A, 45 & 46 of section ibid read with allied laws and procedure and consequent upon approval of the competent authority, this first information report is lodged accordingly for in-depth investigation into the matter.
Investigation officer argued that prosecution needs further investigation from them and arrest the absconder suspect namely Fida Muhammad driver of the bus, financer abettors and others to be ascertained during the investigation, therefore, court may send them to customs department on physical remand.
After his arguments, court sent them to customs department on physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce them on next date of hearing along with progress report before the court.
