KARACHI: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I), Karachi blocked a number of consignments on suspicion of having smuggled liquor in the garb of diplomatic goods or food stuff.
According to Director I&I Irfan Javed, on credible information, the Directorate blocked a number of consignments of different embassies including Indonesia, Syria, Algeria and Lebanon after their clearance by relevant customs collectorates at Karachi ports. Ministry of Foreign Affairs was requested to nominated a representative for joint examinations but only one representative was nominated vide letter No. U.O.P(IV)-5/28/EC/2019 for joint examination of Indonesian embassy consignment imported vide GD KAPW-PP-135608, dated 16-03-2019.
As per the GD and exemption certificate no 593, the consignment was said to contain food stuff. However, joint examination was conducted on 23-05-19 at BOML Terminal, West Wharf, Karachi, which resulted in recovery of 1080 bottles of whiskey and did not contain any food stuff at all. Accordingly, the consignment being liable to confiscation has been seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969 and further proceedings are underway.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requested again to take early decision on joint examination of remaining consignments of embassies of Syria, Algeria and Lebanon as identical mis-declaration is suspected therein.
