KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspects namely Ali and Tariq, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 18,792 kilogram betel nuts and other contraband goods.
On November 09, counsel for the accused said that their clients are innocents and were falsely implicated in this case, who are ready to face trail and giving assurance to appear each and every date of hearing.
After the hearing, court granted their bail against the surety of Rs200,000 and directed them to appear before the court on next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, information was received to the effect that a Nissan trawler bearing registration No TLD-630 loaded with container carrying smuggled/non-duty paid betel nuts in the garb of second hand used shoes (worn articles) cleared from the AICT (Al-Hamad International Container Terminal), is parked at open yard at Gulbai Village S.I.T.E Maripur Karachi for unloading purpose.
As per First Information Report (FIR), a team of Customs Preventive raided the same location and found 18,792 kilograms betel nuts, 440 kilograms second hand used shoes of assorted size and brand worth Rs8,609,956.
A case was registered against above-mentioned suspects and others as violation of Section 2(s), 156 (2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clauses 8 & 89 of Section 156 (1) ibid read with Section 3 (1) of Imports & Export control act, 1950.