KARACHI: The Customs Court has extended the physical remand of suspects namely Riaz Sultan, proprietor of M/s Ali Bagh Enterprises and another Muhammad Ibrahim, and sent them back to the customs lockup. The suspects were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle betel nuts in the garb of soap stock and they were also involved in evasion of duties and taxes through mis-declaration of the impugned goods.
During the hearing, Investigation Officer Malik Muhammad Hashim produced the suspects before the court and informed that a First Information Report No 8/2018-R7D East has been registered against the suspects on the charges of smuggling and duties and taxes evasion.
He further informed the court that both the above named accused have been arrested and notices under Section 171 of the Customs Act 1969 were served upon of the accused persons and copy of First Information Report has been supplied to them, both accused persons are produced before the court with the request that they may be remanded in the customs custody for seven days to enable the investigation agency for a comprehensive inquiry of the case.
According to the prosecution, importer mis-declared the goods as soap stock 71250 kilograms and value of Rs922,605 and during the raid, customs authorities recovered soap stock 60655 kilograms and valuing to Rs. 922,605 and betel nuts 8400 kilograms valuing to Rs.1,375,894 from their possession.
