KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect Appraiser Muhammad Shahid Murad son of Murad Ali of Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Customs House Karachi, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 209,540 kg betel nuts.
On October 02, 2018, Investigation Officer of Appraisement West submitted First Information Report (FIR) against Faisel Shakeel, owner of M/s Sualeha Textile Industries, Muhammad Zakir, owner of M/s M.Z Enterprises, and directors of M/s Jawad Zubair, Pervaiz Ejaz son of Ahmed Sher, clearing agent of M/s Pervez Ejaz Associates, Rana Fareed, employee of M/s Pervez Ejaz Associates, Appraiser Muhammad Shahid Murad of Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Appraiser Najeeb Abid son of Abid Hussain of Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, proprietors and directors of M/s Ansa International, proprietors and directors of M/s Mirza Corporation and others to be ascertained during the investigation.
Investigation officer informed the court that credible information was received that importer M/s Sualeha Textile Industries and others were involved in a scam of illegal import of betel nuts in collusion with the clearing agents, customs officials and other facilitators and on that information, officials of the customs department visited the spotted area and found all four containers were stuffed with betel nuts and 34100 kilogram goods was found pressed bundle scrap which had been stacked in front of containers to conceal the betel nuts stuffed behind them.
He further submitted that during the initial investigation, it is established beyond any iota of doubt that the accused, in collusion with other accomplices, aiders and abettors, have attempted to clear the impugned consignments comprising of betel nuts which were otherwise restricted items as per import policy order in vogue and included in the list of smuggled items. Revenue loss on the seized goods has been quantified as Rs46,089,024 and the market value of the offending goods has been estimated to be Rs240,000,000 as per prevailing market.
Investigation officer further argued that prosecution needs further investigations from above mentioned suspect for arrest of others absconding suspects; therefore, court may grant his physical remand.
After his arguments, court granted his physical remand and sent him back to customs luck-up and directed investigation officer to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report.
