KARACHI: Under the supervision of Director Irfan Javed, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) seized huge quantity of non-duty paid foreign origin miscellaneous goods including Indian Tara filter and Afghan transit marked fabric worth Rs19.1 million.
According to the details, a specific information was received that huge quantity of non-duty paid foreign origin miscellaneous goods transported from different cities were dumped at Pak International Goods Transport Company (Tower Goddi near Customs House) Karachi, for onward distribution in the local market.
In pursuance of the said information, a team head by superintendent anti-smuggling was constituted to locate and identify the above mentioned premises/dumping area.
On 2.1.2020, the I&I team reached the spot around 6 a.m. A through search of the premises was carried out by the team for more than 2 hours. As a result of the search conducted at the premises, huge quantity of smuggled foreign origin goods i.e. cigarettes, sheeha flavours, Tara filter, betel nuts and fabric were recovered.
It is imperative to point out that the recovered goods included Indian origin Tara Khaniand Cool Lip Filter Tabbaq. Moreover, the recovered fabric was packed in PP bags marked “In transit to Afghanistan via Karachi”. No documents were available, nor provided on the spot to establish lawful import of the recovered goods which were subsequently brought to the office of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation for detailed examination.
As a result of the examination in the presence of witnesses, following goods were recovered.
Dunhill Lights, Milani, Elegance light, Momento (Red Grape), Hi-Lite (special mild) and L&M cigarettes, 60 cartons, worth Rs5.4 million.
Shesha Favlour (UAE and other origins) Afzal Pan Rass, Al Fakkher, Al-Safwa & Al-Safwa Apple, 85 carton including 6,600 packed and 180 jars worth Rs3.9 million.
Indian origin Tara filter Khani & Cool Lip Filter Tabbaq, 190 packets with 6,470 pouches, worth Rs0.3 million.
Fabric, 91 rolls weighing 3,720 kilograms worth Rs4.5 million, betel nuts 29 bags, weighing Rs3,720 kilograms. Betel nuts 29 bags weighing 2,530 kilograms worth Rs5.0 million.
As no documents were produced in support of lawful import and possession of the smuggled non-duty paid foreign origin goods, therefore, the same were seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
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