KARACHI: Regional Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) foiled an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of smuggled betel nuts from Baluchistan to Karachi.
The intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted after receiving credible intelligence from Director-General Ali Raza Hanjra and communicated to Director I&I Mian Masood and Additional Director Afzal Wattoo. The intelligence indicated that a dumper truck would be used to transport the smuggled goods for illegal sale in Karachi.
Deputy Director Adarsh Jawahiri constituted an anti-smuggling squad comprising Superintendents Zia Moein and Khalid, among others, to intercept the smuggled goods.
The squad enhanced monitoring near 4-K Chowrangi, North Karachi. Around 10:50 am, the anti-smuggling squad intercepted a Hino Dumper Truck bearing Registration No. TAB-452, which was ostensibly loaded with stone crush.
Upon questioning, the truck driver, Abdul Basit Shah, claimed that the truck was only carrying stone crush.
However, a detailedy inspection by the team revealed foreign-origin betel nuts concealed beneath the stone crush. Abdul Basit Shah was unable to provide satisfactory answers or any legal documentation to support the lawful import or possession of the betel nuts.
As a result, the truck and its illicit cargo were seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. The seized goods were then transported to the state warehouse in the SITE Area of Karachi for a thorough examination. This detailed inspection, conducted in the presence of witnesses, revealed a substantial quantity of smuggled betel nuts. A total of 410 PP Bags containing 4540 kgs of betel nuts were recovered from beneath the stone crush.
The investigation identified Haji Nasruddin as the owner of the smuggled goods, with Javed Khan acting as his manager. Both individuals, along with the truck driver Abdul Basit Shah and Zahid Shah, have been charged with smuggling.
An FIR has been lodged against them, and further investigations are still underway.
