KARACHI: Customs Collectorate Preventive submitted interim charge-sheet against Waheen Ahmed son of Nisar Ahmed, owner of M/s Al-Waheed Impex and others, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle 180,400 kilogram betel nuts in the garb of BBC cutting paper scrap in pressed bundles.
On September 28, 2018, Investigation Officer Azhar Malik of Anti-Smuggling Organization submitted interim charge-sheet and informed that customs officials received a tipoff to the effect that huge quantity of betel nuts has been smuggled into the country in the garb of import of waste paper scrap in pressed bundles shipped from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and after clearance from the Port Qasim, Karachi, they would be shifted into different parts of the city, Karachi.
He further submitted that source further confirmed that five containers out of a lot of 13 containers cleared from Port Qasim, dated 06/09/2018 have been dumped at the M/s Bhatti near Maripur truck ada, Karachi, where from the smuggled goods would be shifted to other places shortly; therefore, customs officials visited the spotted area and observed that process of unloading of betel nuts from containers was in progress. Therefore, customs officials completed formalities and seized 180,400 kilogram of betel nuts, 166,100 kilogram paper scrap in pressed bundles and also two Suzuki pick-ups and 14 containers.
He further stated that Waheen Ahmed son of Nisar Ahmed, owner of M/s Al-Waheed Impex, has been arrested; however, Ahsan Ullah Bhatti, clearing agent, Samiullah son of Muhammad Khalid, Izhar Ullah Bhatti son of Inaamullah Bhatti, Salahuddin son of Aminuddin are still absconders in this case.
After the hearing, court accepted interim challan and issued non-bailable warrants against absconding suspects for next date of hearing.