KARACHI: Customs Court framed charge against suspects namely Muhammad Ishaq, Muhammad Yousuf, Imran-ur-Rahman, Shahbaz Khan, Maaz Bin Jawad, Muhammad Junaid and Syed Tariq Ali Sha, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle huge quantity of non-duty paid HSD oil other contraband goods.
On 17 June 2020, the above mentioned suspects appeared before the court along with their counsels, during the hearing, court framed charge and called witnesses for next date of hearing.
On last date of hearing, court had proceeded on interim charge sheet which was submitted on last date of hearing, after arguments of investigation officer court approved charge sheet and issued non-bail able warrants against absconding suspects and directed investigation officer to arrest them and produce before the court.
investigation officer had submitted charge sheet and informed the court that on an actionable information was received to the effect that M/s Byco Petroleum is involved in the supply of smuggled HSD to the vessels operating in sea, particularly for consumption by tug boats and fishing boats operating within Pakistan Customs Territorial waters through a barge namely Wania-II.
He further submits that on pursuant to the said information, customs team reached at spot and suspected barge was spotted in the open sea near Chrna Island, within the territorial waters and recovered 230,000 and 41,000 liters high speed diesel and US$ 13,200 equivalent to Rs. 2,061,500.
He further said that during the search, crew member could not satisfied the customs officials, therefore, they were arrested and first information report was lodged against above mentioned suspects.
He added that during the investigation, it was revealed that above mentioned suspects and others are involved in this crime which falls under section 2(s) & 156 (2) and 178 of the customs act, 1969.
According to the charge sheet Maaz-Bin Javed, supervisor M/s Khurram Oils, Syed Tariq Ali Shah, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Ishaq, Muhammad Yousuf and others already in custody, however, Zeeshan Malik, managing director of Zeeshan Oils is on pre-arrest bail granted by Sindh High Court (SHC).
