KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer to arrest financiers, abettors and others and produce them on next date of hearing, who were allegedly involved in smuggling of 2300 kgs betel nuts worth Rs 1,150,000.
On July 9, 2019, investigation officer of customs preventive submitted first information report along with arrested suspect namely Jan Muhammad and informed the court that on an actionable information, customs team intercepted an Isuzu truck bearing registration number LSA-5961 and recovered 100 pp bags each weighing 2300 kilograms foreign origin betel nuts worth Rs 1,150,000.
He further submitted that prosecution wants to arrest financiers, abettors and others including owner of the truck, container & betel nuts, therefore, court may send him back to customs department.
After the hearing, court approved his physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report.
According to the prosecution, case was registered by complainant Manzoor Ahmed, senior preventive officer, Customs House Karachi for violation of section 2 (s) (15) (16) of the Customs Act 1969 punishable under clause (89) of section 156 (i) ibid read with section 156 (2) of the Customs Act, 1969 further read with section 3 (1) of Imports & Export Control Act, 1950.