LAHORE: The Investigation & Prosecution (I&P) Branch of Customs Intelligence & Investigation, Lahore has booked two officials of Customs Intelligence & Investigation, Lahore for illegally removing confiscated goods (mobile phones) from the State Ware House to M/s Canteen Stores Department (CSD).
Sources told Customs Today, that the staff of the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Lahore deposited mobile phones in the State Ware House. Later, an official was deputed to inspect the mobile phones at State Ware House.
Intelligence Officer Abdul Hameed at State Ware House was directed to produce the 1703 mobile phone which had been confiscated. Despite, repeated requests, Abdul Hameed avoided to produce mobile phones for couple of days on one pretext or another.
Subsequently, he came up with a story that the mobile phones had already been sold out to CSD Stares with the approval of Amjad Khaliq, the then superintendent after assessment from Dry Port Mughalpura. He submitted some papers regarding disposal of mobile phones against Rs1.488 million deposited at NBP Lahore. But, he failed to show any approval from the competent authority regarding the disposal/delivery of the said phones to CSD Stores.
Amjad Khaliq the then superintendent was noticed to appear in the Directorate and list of confiscated goods sold/issued to CSD stores bearing his signature was shown to him. Amjad Khaliq denied signing release/approval order to remove the goods from the warehouse.
The market value of the mobile phones is Rs11.3 million and duty/taxes were assessed at Rs4.86 million, while M/s CSD Stores bought these mobile phones for just Rs1.48 million from corrupt officials of Customs Intelligence & Investigation, Lahore.
An FIR has been lodged against Superintendent Abdul Khaliq and Intelligence Officer Abdul Hameed and further investigations are still underway till the filing of this report.
