KARACHI: Customs Court directed investigation officer of Anti-Smuggling Organization Preventive to arrest the absconder suspect namely Muhammad Sami son of Hameedur Rehman and others, who are involved in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid contraband 317 mobile phones.
On Saturday, investigation officer appeared before the court and submitted that the above-mentioned suspect and others have not been arrested yet and prosecution is trying its best for their arrest and they will be produced before the court when arrested. After hearing, the court directed him to produce the above-mentioned suspects and adjourned the matter.
Earlier, investigation officer submitted FIR and informed the court that on credible information that a consignment consisting of 2 cartons containing assorted foreign-origin smuggled non-duty paid mobiles phones arrived from Sialkot are lying at M/s Pak Afghan Goods Transport Company Cantonment Railway Station Karachi.
Investigation officer further informed the court that on information, a customs team reached to identified area where munshi of M/s Pak Afghan Goods Transport Company Karachi namely Nawab Ahmed was asked about the impugned consignment arrived from Sialkot and 2 cartons were containing 317 numbers assorted brand foreign origin mobile phones without documents of its import/procurement.
He further said that notice under section 171 of the Customs Act 1969 has been issued to the owner of goods through M/s Pak Afghan Goods Transport Company Karachi and also dispatched to consignee at his available address, a copy of notice has also been displayed on notice board of ASO/HQ, NMB Wharf, Karachi.
After hearing, the court took the FIR into record and directed investigation officer to complete investigation including arrest of said accused persons and submit challan on next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, the case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) 156 (2) and 178 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with relevant provision of allied acts, punishable under section 156 (1) (8)& (89) ibid etc.