KARACHI: The Customs Court issued non-bail able warrants against suspects namely Anwar, Zahoor, Bashir, Imran and Asmatullah Khan and directed the investigation officer to arrest them and produce before the court on next date of hearing who are declared absconders in a case of attempting to smuggle contraband goods into Pakistan.
On 2 October 02, 2020, investigation officer of customs preventive submitted charge sheet against the above mentioned suspects and others and informed the court that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted one Hino trawler bearing registration no: TLB-631 an during the checking of container bearing no CSLU 6025246 recovered 25,625.5 kg betel nuts worth Rs25,650,500 and 307.5 kg betel nuts worth Rs307,500.
He further submitted that only one accused namely Shoukatullah Khan has been arrested by the customs officials, however, others, who are involved in smuggling of said goods are still absconders in this case and investigation is trying its best for their arrest and they will be produced before the trial court when arrested.
After the hearing, the court issued their non-bail able warrants and directed the investigation officer to arrest them and produce before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of section 2 (s) read with sections 156 (2), 157 (2) and 178 of the customs act, 1969 punishable under clause (89) of the section 156 (1) ibid read with section 3 (1) of the import and export control act, 1969.