KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer of Anti-Smuggling Organization to complete investigation and submit final charge-sheet against the suspects involved in a case of attempting to smuggle contraband Indian gutka, chokar worth millions of rupees.
On Thursday, investigation officer appeared before the court and submitted that investigation is under process and he is trying his best to arrest culprits who are involved and absconders in the same case. He further argued that suspects will be produced before the court when arrested. He sought further time to complete investigation; therefore, the court granted time and adjourned the matter.
Earlier, investigation officer submitted First Information Report (FIR) and stated that on a credible information, a team of customs department intercepted a Hino high wall truck bearing registration number AE-0155 near Super Highway Karachi which was signaled to stopped, but the driver of the said truck accelerated the speed and after some distance he stopped the vehicle and fled from the scene.
He further submitted the during the search, customs team found 210 PP bags containing 10,500 packets of Safina brand gutka, made in India, total 1,102,500 valuing at Rs1,657,500 and 100 PP bags containing chokar from inside the truck.
Investigation officer said that after the formalities, the said goods and truck were seized and a case was registered against unknown person and started investigation.
After the hearing, the court took FIR into the court record and directed him to complete investigation and submit final charge-sheet on next date of hearing.
Case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) 156 (2) 157 (2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clause 8 & 89 of section 156 (1) ibid read with section (i) of Imports & Exports Control Act, 1950.
