LAHORE: Customs Investigation and Prosecution Directorate of Customs Intelligence Lahore has lodged two FIRs against importers Shahzad Traders, representatives of Shahzad Traders, M/S Dastgeer Traders, NLC Customs staff and officers for ‘illegal’ import of Indian banned cloth worth millions of rupees.
It was reported that Dastgeer Traders and Shahzad Traders in connivance with customs officers and staff cleared containers of Indian made cloth worth millions of rupees at NLC Dry Port, Thokar Niaz Baigh, sources said.
The containers of Indian cloth were imported illegally from Dubai at Karachi Port under the pretext of Chinese cloth and cleared with the support of Customs officers, staff and clearing agents, sources added.
Sources revealed that the Indian cloth was stamped and packed in Chinese packing, however, when the customs authorities through a letter inquired about the cloth’s import from the Chinese authorities they replied with ‘NO’ making it clear that no such cloth was manufactured in China.
The Customs I&P Directorate of Customs Investigation and Intelligence, nominating customs officials and officers has registered FIRs while a few containers have also been seized at the dry port.
Sources further added that the Customs I&P Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation has started investigating NLC customs superintendents, deputy superintendents, principle appraisers and inspectors.
The Customs I&P Directorate of Customs Investigation and Intelligence team undertaking investigations consists of Deputy Director Ali Waheed, Superintendent Abbas Ali Jafri and inspector Hameed, sources said adding that raids are conducted to arrest the accused involved in the ‘crime’.
