KARACHI: The Customs Court framed charge against suspects namely Nabi Bux Purkhani, Anaar Gul and others, and issued summons to prosecution witness and called them to next date of hearing for recording their statements, suspects are booked in a first information report (FIR) for smuggling huge quantities of contraband goods into Pakistan and losing the national exchequer.
On 22 September 2021, during the hearing, suspects appeared before the court along with their counsel, after the proceedings, court framed charges against them and after denial of charge, court summoned witness of prosecution and called them for next date of hearing for recording their statements.
Earlier, investigation officer submits progress report and informs the court that a credible information was received at the directorate general of intelligence & investigation-customs regional office, Karachi to the effect that huge quantity of smuggled/ non duty paid foreign origin betel nuts, would be transported from Quetta to Karachi through Hino truck under the garb of rice for its further disposal/ sale in the open market at Karachi, in pursuance of the said information, a team of officer of ASO was constituted to foil the attempt of transportation of the foreign smuggled/ non duty paid betel nuts.
He further submits that during the surveillance, one suspected Hino Truck bearing registration no TKA 180 was signaled by the staff in uniform at the aforesaid place, to which the driver of said Hino Truck increased the speed of his truck instead of stopping by ignoring the signal of the staff in uniform.
Investigation officer added that customs officials chased the same and stopped Hino truck and during the search found 15, 455 kg smuggled/ non-duty paid foreign origin betel nuts market value of Rs39, 694, 374. 4,500 kgs rice 150 polypropylene bags valuing of Rs. 450,000 and registered first information report against above mentioned suspects and others for violation of under section 2 (s) 16 & 157 (2) of the customs act, 1969 punishable under clauses (8) (89) of the sub-section (i) and sub-section (2) of section 156 read with section 85 ibid.
After the hearing, the court approved a progress report and adjourned the hearing for regular proceedings.
