KARACHI: The Customs Court directed the investigation officer of Collectorate of Customs Enforcement & Compliance to arrest and complete the investigation against owners, financer, abettors, associates, who were allegedly involved for smuggling of contraband goods into Pakistan.
On 20 May 2021, investigation officer submitted first information report (FIR) before the court and informed that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted a black colored Toyota Vigo bearing fancy registration no QAM 3601 (Government of Balochistan), instead of stopping, the driver accelerated the speed of the vehicle.
He further informed that customs officials chased the said vehicle during which the driver of the said vehicle smashed his vehicle into the official’s vehicle of customs, ultimately after covering some distance, the driver of the said vehicle escaped.
Investigation officer states that during the search, customs officials found 53 pp bags each weighing 20 kgs & 20 pp bags each weighing 10 kgs containing of foreign origin smuggled betel nuts, total weighing 1260 kgs valuing of Rs. 1,512,000. 100 packets each having 100 pouches total 10,000 pouches containing Indian origin smuggled Gutka valuing Rs200,000.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) of the customs act, 1969 read with sections 156(2), 157(2) 178 & 187 ibid, further read with section 3 (i) of the imports & exports control act, 1950 punitive action for which is provided under clause (89) (i) of section 156 (i) of the customs act, 1969.
After the hearing, the court took FIR into court record and directed customs officials to complete the investigation and submit a progress report for the next date of hearing.
