KARACHI: Customs (Taxation & Anti-Smuggling) Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi remanded accused Baz Muhammad S/o Dost Muhammad to Central Jail Karachi who was booked in a case of smuggling 350 live tortoises (said to be Central Asian Tortoises) valued Rs01.8million approximately.
During the hearing, investigation officer produced the abovementioned accused before the court and informed it that on a tip-off, officials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted him who was in possession of five wooden crates carrying tortoises which he brought from Balochistan. After fulfilling formalities, 350 live tortoises were taken into possession and the accused held.
The court also ordered the jail authority to produce him before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the FIR, the case was registered in violation of Section 2 (s) 16 and 178 read with Import/Export Control Act-1950 and further read with Balochistan and Sindh Wild Protection Ordinance-1972 which is punishable under clauses 8, 9 and 89 of Section 156 of the Customs Act-1969.