KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect namely Shafiq son of Saeed ur Rehman to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand and directed investigation officer to complete investigation and submit charge sheet in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 16,130 kg betel nuts worth Rs16,130,000.
On 23 September 2020, investigation officer of Customs Enforcement & Compliance produced above mentioned suspect before the court and informed that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted a Hino bearing registration no TLY-369 and during search, found 495 pp bags white color foreign origin betel nuts each weighing 30 kg total 14,850 kg worth Rs14, 850,000 and 64 pp bags yellow color each weighing 20 kg total 1280 kg, worth Rs1,280,000.
He further submitted that during the investigation, accused was asked to produce any legal documents of goods, however, he failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, customs officials seized above mentioned goods and accused also was taken into custody.
Investigation officer argued that prosecution needs further investigation from accused person for arrest of financiers, abettors & others; therefore, court may approve his physical remand and send to customs’ custody.
After the hearing, court sent him to jail and directed investigation officer to complete investigation and submit charge sheet on next date of hearing.
According to the first information report, case was registered for violation of under section 168 of the customs act, 1969, in violation of section 2(s) 156 (2) 157 (2) and 178 of the customs act, 1969 punishable under section 156 (1) and (89) ibid.
