KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspects namely Muhammad Javad son of Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Bilal son of Muhammad Javad and Durwaish of Parast, who were involved in a case of attempting to smuggle contraband betel nuts.
On Wednesday, counsel for the accused filed bail petitions and argued that their clients are innocents and were falsely implicated in this case; therefore, the court may grant them after-arrest bail.
After hearing the arguments, the court granted them bail against the surety of Rs300,000 each and directed them to appear before the court for confirmation of bail.
On last date of hearing, Azhar Malik, Investigation Officer of Anti-Smuggling Organization, produced the above-mentioned suspects and informed the court that on a credible information, a team of ASO Preventive intercepted a Mazda truck bearing registration number JY-5830 near Jodia Market Gulbai. During the search of truck, they recovered 120 bags each containing 35 kg betel nuts total 4200 kg valuing at Rs971,880 in crushed from Mazda truck.
The case was registered against them for violation of under Section 2 (s) 156 (2) 157 (2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clause 8 & 89 of Section 156 (1) ibid read with Section 3 (1) of Imports & Export Control Act, 1950 on complaint by Senior Preventive Officer, Customs House Karachi Azhar Malik.
