KARACHI: The Customs Court issued non-bailable warrants against suspects namely Saleem Shah, Muhammad Naeem and Muhammad Saleem, who were involved in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid Shikhar Gutkha.
On April 16, 2019, investigation officer submitted charge sheet against the above-mentioned suspects including arrested suspect namely Muhammad Sajjad and informed that on an actionable information, customs team intercepted a Suzuki pick-up bearing registration no KW-7837 and recovered 202,500 pouches (450) kg Shikhar Gutkha made in India.
He submitted that during the search, suspect was asked to produce lawful documents, however, he failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, suspect was arrested and goods also were taken into custody. Names of Iftikhar Hasan Khan, complainant/inspector preventive service, Shahbaz, sepoy anti-smuggling organization, Danish Sharif Chandio, investigation officer customs preventive were mentioned in charge-sheet as witnesses of this case.
After the hearing, court accepted interim charge sheet and issued non-bailable warrants against absconding suspects and directed investigation officer to arrest them and present them on next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under Section 2 (s) 156(2) 157(2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clauses 89 of Section 156 (1) ibid read with Section 3(1) of Imports & Export Control Act, 1950.
