KARACHI: The Customs Court extended physical remand of suspects namely Faisal Bin Muhammad, Sheraz Khan and Khan Bahadur and sent them back to the Customs Department. The suspects were booked for attempting to smuggle more than 14,000 mobile phones in the garb of diplomatic privilege.
During the hearing, the investigation officer produced the suspects before the court and informed that a team of Anti-Smuggling Organization intercepted a container at Chamra Chowrangi and recovered 14,295 China branded mobile phones, 8,296.24 kilogram auto parts and others goods.
He said that total tentative value of the goods was Rs. 65,517,661 and duty and taxes involved were Rs 3,000,859. The importer brought the goods into the country under the garb of household goods under diplomatic privilege claiming admissible exemption thereof.
The investigation officer submitted that the prosecution needs further investigation and arrest of the suspect still absconding namely Sajid Lakhani, therefore, court may send them on physical remand. After the hearing, court sent them back to the Customs Department and directed the investigation officer to produce them on the next date of hearing along with progress report.
A case was registered under section 2 (s) 16, 32 (1) & (2) 32 A, 79, 80 156, (2) 157 and 178 of the Customs Act, 1969, read with section 3 (1) of the Import and Export Control Act, 1990, further read with section 3, 6, 33 and 34 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and other section and relevant provisions of allied laws.
