ISLAMABAD: Deputy Collector Customs Adjudication Islamabad Dr. Wajid Ali has passed the ONO and order for the release of foreign origin cloths along with an offending vehicle on payment of duty and taxes plus a redemption fine equivalent to 30% and for offending vehicle against a redemption fine of 20% of the value.
According to the Order in Original, It was reported that an attempt will be made to smuggle F/o cloths from Peshawar by a Toyota Corolla car with registration No: LEC-8476. On a tip-off a, raiding party set up a picket at G.T Road Attock Khurd. The hinted Toyota Corolla was sighted coming from Peshawar which was signaled to stop. A thorough search of the aforementioned vehicle led to the recovery of F/O cloths. Driver of the vehicle and owner of the cloths were identified as Muhammad Saqib S/o Abdul Majeed and Muhammmad Irfan S/o Noor Parast Khan R/o Akora Khattak. On the demand, they failed to produce any documented proof of the imported goods. The Corolla car with registration No: LEC-8476 was also seized under Section 157 ibid.
Prior to the issuance of show cause notice, the respondent submitted an application for release of foreign origin cloths and seized vehicle Rs141750 which is less than the statuary limit of Rs150000. Keeping in view, an option is granted to the rightful owners to redeem the same on payment of duty and taxes leviable thereon plus a redemption fine equivalent to 30% of the appraised value of seized foreign origin cloths in lieu of confiscation.
Regarding the offending vehicle Toyota Corolla Car used for removal of non-duty paid various goods, the seized cloths were not found concealed in any specially designed cavities of the said vehicle and the prosecution also did not bring the record of any previous involvement of the seized vehicle in any smuggling case. Keeping these facts in view, I order for release of the aforementioned offending vehicle against a redemption fine of 20% of the value in lieu of confiscation with a warning that if the said vehicle is found again involved in such activity then it will be confiscated.