KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool has extended the physical remand of a suspect, Muhammad Noman, and sent him back to the customs lack up in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 179 mobile phones worth Rs 2.13 million.
During the hearing, investigation officer of Customs Collectorate Preventive Jinnah International Airport Karachi produced the suspect before the court and informed that on intervening night of 15/16-4-2018, the suspect arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airline’s flight no EK-606 and was intercepted by IPS Green Channel. He was asked to declare whether he was carrying any contraband goods in his baggage or on his person, to which, he denied. Being dissatisfied with the passenger’s declaration, he was diverted to the customs scanning machine along with his baggage.
The investigation officer further informed the court that during the search of accused, the customs officials found 100 On5 mobile phones, 10 Samsung mobile phones prime, 54 Samsung mobile phones S6, S5, Samsung mobile phones J5, 2 Samsung mobile phones S7, one Samsung mobile phones S8, 01 I-Phone S6, 3 OALE XI mobile phones, 3 OALE X2 mobile phones worth Rs 2.13 million
He submitted that after the formalities, he was arrested and same goods were seized by customs authorities and case was registered against him for violation of 2 (s), 16 & 139 of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under clause (8) (89) & (70) of section 156(i) ibid, read with baggage rules notified vide SRO-666(1)-2016 dated 28.06.2006 & section 3(iii) of Import & Export (Control) Act, 1950.
He pleaded the court that prosecution needs further investigations from suspect therefore, court may send back to customs department on physical remand, after the hearing, court sent him back to customs department and directed customs authorities to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report.
