KARACHI: The Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation Customs submitted a first information report before the customs court against 14 suspects for smuggling 612,032kg betel (Areca) nuts. Reports suggest the nuts, worth Rs. 1.503 billion, were of poor quality, infested and unfit for human consumption.
During the hearing, investigation officer appeared before the court and submitted the FIR according to which a customs team raided a private godown namely M/s Arbaz Godown situated at plot no A-41 near police station, SITE Karachi and recovered 8,536 bags weighing 612,032kg smuggled/ non-duty paid foreign origin poor quality betel (Areca) nuts.
He informed the court that a case was registered against Adnan, proprietor of M/s ABR Enterprise, Khalid Ahmed, Proprietor of M/s Anees & Sons, Farhan Ahmed, Proprietor of M/s Farhan Impex, Abdul Ghani Ronjah, Proprietor of M/s Kiran Food Products, Farheen Irfan, Proprietor of M/s Rohain Corporation, Ghulam Mehdi Nayani, Arif Shahban, Mansoor Ahmed Proprietors of M/s Dilwala & Co and others to be ascertained during the investigation.
He said that during the investigation, it was revealed that above mentioned suspects in connivance and collusion with each other and their other representatives, associates-in-crime have managed to store huge quantities of smuggled non duty paid foreign origin betel nuts unfit for human consumption in the private godown under the cover of import documents for illegal disposal of the same in local market have individually and collectively violated the import policy.
He submitted that further investigations are in progress, efforts are underway to arrest accused persons. The role of representatives/ dealing persons and others associates in crime will be determined/ ascertained further during the investigation of the case.
After hearing court taken on record the FIR and directing him to arrest the suspects and submit charge sheet against the above mentioned suspects on next date of hearing.
