KARACHI: Regional Directorate of Customs Intelligence & Investigation (I&I) Karachi has registered an FIR against Arshad Khan, owner of M/s R.A Impex and M/s Continental Courier for submitting fake laboratory reports to clear imported betel nuts.
Sources told that probe was started after credible information was provided by Director Engineer Habib Ahmed to Additional Director Inamullah Wazir. It was revealed that M/s R.A. Impex was implicated in the importation of controlled goods, specifically Betel Nuts, under false pretenses. The goods declaration cited, KAPS-IB-43078 dated 23.10.2023, was processed through M/s. Continental Courier System, a clearing agency located at Office No. B-171, Block 2, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi.
During detailedr scrutiny of the WeBOC system documents exposed that M/s R.A. Impex had submitted a HEJ Lab sample analysis report dated 19.12.2023, which falsely stated the Aflatoxin level of the imported Betel Nuts as 23ppb. However, upon verification with HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, it was confirmed that the actual Aflatoxin level was 58ppb, indicating a deliberate act of forgery by the importer/clearing agent.
Arshad Khan has been arrested and served a notice under Section 171 of the Customs Act, 1979. During the preliminary investigation, Khan disclosed his long-standing business operations in import and export since 2010 and his recent dealings with an Indonesian firm for the import of Betel Nuts, among other goods.
