KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer to arrest owners/ financers/ abettors and produce them before the court who were involved in smuggling of contraband goods worth Rs14,414,826.
On 28 September 2020, investigation officer of Customs Collectorate Enforcement & Compliance submitted first information report (FIR) before the court and informed that an information was received to the effect that considerable quantity of smuggled/ non-duty paid foreign origin cloth has been secreted in a private warehouse situated at 1st floor Haji Adam Market, Khajoor Bazar, Lea Market, Karachi and would likely to be moved from that premises shortly.
He further submitted that on that information, customs officials raided the said premises and recovered 17 rolls of foreign origin polyester cloth each weighing 6.4 kg, 50 yards total 108 kg, 170 rolls of polyester cloth total 680 kg, 535 thans of foreign origin polyester cloth total 936 kg. 100 total 9361 kg worth Rs14,414,628.
He stated that after the formalities, customs officials seized said goods and first information report has been lodged and under section 168 of the customs act, 1969 in violation of section 2 (s) of customs act, 1969 punishable under section 156(1), (89), read with 156 (2) ibid further read with section 3(1) of import and export (control) act, 1950.
Investigation officer argues that notice under section 171 of customs act, 1969 has been issued and displayed on notice board at customs house Karachi and ASO/HQ NMB Wharf, Karachi for the owners of the seized goods, efforts are underway to arrest the persons involved in the crime.
After the hearing, court taken FIR into court record and directed him to complete investigation and submit progress report on next date of hearing.
