KARACHI: The Customs Court granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspect namely Shahid Mehmood, son of Maqbool Ahmed, who is involved in a case of attempting to smuggle 9,425 kilograms betel nuts.
On December 26, 2018, counsel for the accused filed pre-arrest bail petition and argued that his client is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trial; therefore, the court may grant him bail till final order in this case.
After hearing his arguments, the court granted his bail and observed in its order that “without examining the contents of the FIR, the above mentioned applicants granted interim pre-arrest bail subject to furnishing solvent surety in the sum of Rs200,000, the applicant also directed to join investigations if and when required by the investigation officer, notice to special prosecutor customs and call police papers”.
According to the prosecution, on an actionable information received to the effect that a considerable quantity of smuggled and non-duty paid foreign-origin betel nuts arrived from Faisalabad and at the moment dumped at open shed near M/s Arsala & Aayan Railway Goods Transport Company situated at City Station Shed No 13, I.I Chundrigar Road Karachi.
Investigation officer further submitted that on credible information, a team of customs officials raided the same and found 145 gunny bags containing foreign-origin betel nuts each weighing 65 kilograms total 9425 kilogram betel nuts worth Rs2,507,050.
He stated that after the formalities, goods were seized and case was registered against the owner of said goods.
