KARACHI: The Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool sent suspect namely Muhammad Noman son of Muhammad Siddique to customs lock-up on physical remand, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 179 mobile phones worth Rs2,131,800.
During the hearing, investigation officer of Model Customs Collectorate Preventive Jinnah International Airport Karachi produced the above-mentioned suspect before the court and informed that on intervening night of 15/16-04-2018 accused arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airline’s flight no EK-606 and intercepted by IPS Green Channel and was asked to declare whether he was carrying any contraband goods in his baggage, to which, he denied. Being dissatisfied with the passenger’s declaration, he was diverted to customs scanning machine along with his baggage.
Investigation officer further informed the court that during the search of accused, customs officials found 100 mobile phones, 10 Samsung mobile phones prime, 54 Samsung mobile phones S6, 05, Samsung mobile phones J5, 02 Samsung mobile phones S7, 01 Samsung mobile phones S8, 01 I-Phone s6, 03 OALE XI mobile phones and 3 OALE X2 mobile phones worth Rs2,13,800 from his possession.
He submitted that after the formalities, he was arrested and same goods were seized by customs authorities and case was registered against him for violation of 2 (s), 16 & 139 of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under clause (8) (89) & (70) of section 156(i)ibid, read with baggage rules notified vide SRO-666(1)-2016 dated 28.06.2006 & section 3(iii) of Import & Export (Control) Act 1950.
He pleaded the court that prosecution needs further investigation from suspect therefore, court may send back to customs department on physical remand, after the hearing, court sent him back to customs department and directed customs authorities to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report.
