KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer to complete investigations and submit charge-sheet against M/s Sun Gravure, M/s Progressive Movers and others (yet to be ascertained during investigation), who were nominated in a case of attempting to smuggle 54,180 kilograms betel nuts.
On October 12, 2018, investigation officer of Customs Preventive/Anti-Smuggling Organization submitted another first information report (FIR) and informed that on actionable information received that two containers arrived from Jabel Ali, UAE in the name of above-mentioned importer are lying at Karachi International Container Terminal stuffed with betel nuts instead of plastic film rolls declared in the respective import documents.
He further informed that on informed, a teams visited said spot and found 450 gunny bags bearing marks & no: “JW” each weighing 60kg containing foreign-origin betel nuts total 27,000 valuing at Rs7,236,000 and 453 gunny bags bearing marks & co “Super. A & TATA Best” each weighing 60kg containing foreign-origin betel nuts total 27,180kg worth Rs7,284, 240.
He argued that during the investigation, it was revealed that the above-mentioned importers are involved in mis-declaration and smuggling case; therefore, case was registered for violation of Section 2 (s) 16, 32 156 (2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clause (8) (9) (14) and 89 of Section 156 (1) ibid read with Section 3 (I) of Imports & Export Control Act, 1950 and Import Policy Order 2016.
He submitted that notices have been issued to them and efforts are underway to locate and arrest the persons involved in the crime.
