KARACHI: Directorate General of Customs Investigation and Intelligence-FBR, Karachi region has submitted a ‘seizure report’ in respect of eight containers of ISAF-Reverse Transit Cargo reportedly pilfered en-route during the transportation from Torkham to Karachi.
It may be mentioned here that the scam was unearthed by the Directorate of Customs I&I, Karachi region during April 2015 in pursuance of some credible information that ISAF Reverse Transit Cargo was being removed illegally during the transportation mainly in the vicinity of Peshawar district.
A First Information Report (FIR) in this regard has already been lodged in the Court of Special Judge Customs against the culprits including the owners of bonded carriers, the drivers of vehicles and other associates in crime.
The General Manager (GM) of Bonded Carrier M/s. Port Connection namely Muhammad Asad Khan was arrested after the lodging of the FIR. Asad Khan is still in jail.
During investigation another absconding transporter namely Muhammad Hussain and driver Mujahid were also arrested and interrogated during the remand period.
It may be mentioned here, that the driver Mujahid is also booked in an identical case lodged against him by the Directorate General of Transit Trade.
All the accused persons are still in jail. It may be mentioned here, that investigation in the case have revealed serious lapses on the part of bonded carriers, terminal operators M/s. D. P. World QICT and other logistic contractors namely M/s. Triwah Logistics and M/s. Bin Qutub Group, a freight forwarding company responsible for transit of ISAF Reverse Cargo.
The case is being investigated by Fakhar Ali Shah an experienced and senior officer of the Directorate General of Customs I&I-FBR, Karachi region.
During the investigation it was also revealed that the pilfered containers on arrival at Port Qasim were scanned by the terminal operators. However, scan reports were neither analyzed nor submitted to the department concerned of Customs Transit Trade Group.
According to the Transit Group since goods declaration were not presented by the Karachi based Clearing Agent M/s. Trade Link International (CHAL No.2215) without prejudice to prosecution, the Collector Adjudication(II) has issued a show cause notice to all concerned persons on the submission of the Seizure Report.
It is pertinent to mention that the purported pilfered report goods involved in duty/taxes to the tune of Rs 11.246 million which yet to be recovered after the adjudication of the case.
It may also be mentioned here that as per provisions of Customs General Order CGO-10/2012, the focal persons of ISAF nominated by the US Consulate General is also liable if any goods of Transit Cargo are pilfered en-route due to insufficient security and monitoring. The said focal person is also being impeded in the adjudication proceedings.
Further investigations are still underway and efforts are being made to arrest other absconding accused in the case.
