KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspects namely Faisal Ilyas and Abdul Waheed against the surety bonds of Rs 500,000 in a betel nuts smuggling case.
During the hearing, the suspects appeared before the court along with their counsel and moved an application for bail. The counsel argued that his clients were innocent and had falsely been implicated in this case, who were ready to face trail, however, they had apprehension of arrest, therefore, the court might grant them bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, the court granted them interim bail and issued notices to the Customs Department and special prosecutor of customs. The court also directed the suspects to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.
On last date of hearing , investigation officer of Customs Collectorate of Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization Headquarters N.M.B Wharf, Karachi had submitted First Information Report (FIR) before the court and informed that on a credible information a team of customs department raided in Shed No 16 of compound of M/s A.G plot no A-46 A near Ghani Chowrangi, SITE Karachi and recovered 1612 gunny bags containing betel nuts bearing marks and numbers “Best Jambi Ghulab 80600 valuing Rs201,500,000, 431 PP bags containing grinded tobacco 7758 kilograms valuing Rs3,103,200,325 cartons containing Katha (black cutch) 8125 KG valuing Rs2,03,250, 275 bags containing Crushed betel nuts 13750 KG valuing Rs. 34, 375,000, 24 bags containing chemical “Panasa Magnesium Carbonate 240 kilograms valuing to Rs 53,760, printed packing material in 36 cartons total 1080 kilograms valuing from their possession.
He further submitted that suspects namely Wahid (Tenant of Shed No 16 of Compound of M/s A.G), Faisal Ghanchi Business partner of (Tenant of Shed no 16 of Compound of M/s A.G), Waheed (Munshi & Business worker of Tenant of Shed no 16 of Compound of M/s A.G plot no A-46 A near Ghani Chowrangi, SITE Karachi and others (to be ascertained during the course of investigation), who are absconders in this case.
He said that during the investigation, is has been established beyond any iota of doubt that said suspects in collusion with other accomplices in crime have indulged smuggling of above mentioned contraband betel nuts and others goods, Hence they have, individually and collectively violated the provisions of section customs laws.
