KARACHI: The Customs Court framed charges against suspects namely against Abdul Razzaq son of Muhammad Iqbal and Syed Imran son of Syed Ain Uddin and summons prosecution witnesses for next date of hearing, who were nominated in first information report (FIR) for smuggling of 41, 010 kilograms betel nuts valuing of Rs49,212, 000.
On 16 March 2022, during the hearing, after the formalities, court framed charge against the above mentioned suspects who denied the charges, therefore, court summons to prosecution witnesses for next date of hearing.
Earlier, Investigation officer of Investigation and Prosecution, Branch has submitted interim charge sheet and informed the court that on an actionable informed, customs officials intercepted two Shehzore Trucks bearing registration numbers JX-1353 and JZ-1496 and during the search, found 1367 pp bags (each weighing 30kg) containing foreign origin smuggled betel nuts, total weighing 41, 010 kgs valuing of Rs. 49, 212, 000.
Investigation officer further submits that after the formalities, customs officials lodged first information report (FIR) and seized the above-mentioned goods.
Investigation officer added that interim challan of the case is submitted accordingly, as the investigation of the case is underway, therefore, it is requested before the court that further time may kindly be granted under section 344 crpc to submit the final charge sheet in the case.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) of the customs act, 1969 read with section 156(2) & 178 ibid, further read with section 3(1) of the imports and exports (control) act, 1950 punitive action for which is provided under clause (89) (i) of section 156 (i) of the customs act, 1969.
