KARACHI: The Customs appellate tribunal reduced 75 percent of the fine imposed on five wildlife smugglers charged with illegally sending out 67 consignments of banned species of rose-ringed parakeet between April 2008 and January 2010.
Similarly, the tribunal also slashed 60 percent of the fine imposed on three clearing agents for aiding and abetting the wildlife traffickers in smuggling of the birds.
Customs Appellate Tribunal Chairman Justice Chaudhry Mohammad Tariq also ordered action against officials of the Customs and Wildlife Department for facilitating the birds trafficking.
The gang involved in the wildlife smuggling was exposed by the media followed by a thorough inquiry by the customs that imposed fine of over Rs2.5 million on the five wildlife traffickers and Rs130,000 on their three clearing agents. However, the tribunal hearing the appeal reduced the fine to Rs640,000 for the smugglers and Rs51,000 for the clearing agents.
According to the orders, wildlife trafficker M/s International and Co, had smuggled 16 consignments. The tribunal lowered its fine from Rs900,000 to Rs225,000. The Rs25,000 fine imposed on each of its clearing agents, Relax International and Areeba International was reduced to Rs10,000 each.
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