KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR to complete investigation against directors/ partners/ proprietors of M/s A-One Steel, directors/ partners/ proprietors of M/s Royal Steel and others, who were nominated in a case of smuggling of galvanized steel coils secondary quality.
October 19, 2019, investigation officer submitted first information report (FIR) and informed that on an actionable information, customs officials visited M/s Kissan Goods Transport Company and 187 steel coils were found lying there suspected to be smuggled/ non-duty paid, in this regard a detention notice was served above mentioned importers with the direction to provide all legal relevant import documents in support of legal import/ lawful possession/ purchase and transportation of detained goods within three days of receipt of the detention notice for further investigation.
He further submits that during the investigation, it was revealed that an attempt was made to hide the actual ownership status of said coils as Altaf (clearing agent) of M/s The Helpers said that those 96 coils belonged to M/s Royal Steel which were given to him by another clearing agent Anwer of M/s Trishmir Imports. The statement of the godown owner clearly confirms that as above mentioned importers colluded by utilizing the services of aforesaid two clearing agents and submitted bogus documents to hide true ownership and status of said smuggled goods, therefore, same was seized and case was registered against them.
After the hearing court taken FIR into court record and directed investigation officer to complete investigation and submit charge sheet on next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2(s) 157 (2) of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clause (89) of section 156 (i) ibid read with section 156 (2) of the Customs Act, 1969 further read with section 3 (1) of Imports & Export Control Act, 1950.
