KARACHI: Customs’ Appraisement East has foiled an attempt to import huge quantity of betel nuts under the guise of auto parts at Pakistan International Containers Terminal (PICT).
Appraisement East Collector Saeed Akram got information that some Lahore-based importers were misusing the facility of transshipment for smuggling of betel nut into the country through misdeclaration. Reacting on it, a team of the officers of Research & Development section has been constituted for strict surveillance to curb the menace.
Under the supervision of Deputy Collector Muhammad Ali Malik, the team has raided at Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) and intercepted a consignment of M/s Al-Noor Enterprises, Lahore comprising of lx40′ container no TCKU9539735 and destined for NLC Terminal, Lahore.
The team after detailed examination of the container recovered 25 metric tons of betel nuts being cleared in the garb of cables, glass beads, etc, resultantly, the recovered betel nuts were seized on the spot.
During initial course of investigation, it was revealed that M/s Al-Noor Enterprises filed a Transshipment GD for Lahore NLC Station Lahore declaring Networking Cables Glasswares, Mobile Speakers Glass Beads and Soaps imported from Jebel Ali, UAE CFR@ $10800. The goods are to be taken to Lahore by bonded carrier M/s Arrow Transport Logistic Private Limited.
A case has been registered against the importer. Further investigation was under way.
