KARACHI: The Customs Court granted pre-arrest bail to suspect namely Muhammad Idris son of Hakim Muhammad and others, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle 180,400 kilograms betel nuts in the garb of BBC cutting paper scrap in pressed bundles.
On October 17, 2018, counsels for the accused filed bail petition and argued that his clients are innocents and were falsely implicated in this case and they are ready to face trail, therefore, court may grant their pre-arrest bail.
After the hearing, court granted their bail against the surety of Rs3,00,000 and issued notices to special prosecutor for customs department and investigation officer for next date of hearing.
According to the interim charge sheet, customs officials received a tip off to the effect that huge quantity of betel nuts has been smuggled into the country in the garb of import of waste paper scrap in pressed bundles shipped from Jeddah Saudi Arabia and after clearance from the Port Qasim, Karachi, they would be shifted into different parts of the city, Karachi.
Investigation officer submitted that information source further confirmed that five containers out of a lot of 13 containers cleared from Port Qasim on dated 06/09/2018 dumped at the M/s Bhatti near Maripur Truck Adda, Karachi and wherefrom the smuggled goods would be shifted to other places shortly, therefore, customs officials visited the spotted area and observed that process of un-loading of betel nuts from containers was in progress, therefore, customs officials completed formalities and seized 180, 400 kilograms betel nuts, 166,100 kilogram paper scrap in pressed bundles and also two Suzuki Pick-Ups and 14 containers.
He further stated that Waheen Ahmed son of Nisar Ahmed, owner of M/s Al-Waheed Impex has been arrested, however, Ahsan Ullah Bhatti, clearing agent, Samiullah son of Muhammad Khalid, Izhar Ullah Bhatti son of Inaamullah Bhatti, Salahuddin son of Aminuddin and others are still absconders in this case.
