KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect Asmat Ullah, son of Khan Muhammad, to customs preventive on physical remand, who was involved in a case of attempting to smuggle 9,205-kilogram betel nuts under the cover load of gravel (crushed stones) etc.
On December 28, 2018, investigation officer of Customs Preventive produced the above-mentioned suspect before the court and informed that on information, customs officials intercepted a Hino truck bearing registration no: TKE-349 arriving from Quetta to Karachi via Sindh through Super Highway, Karachi.
He further submitted that during the search, customs officials recovered 9,205-kilogram betel nuts under the cover load of gravel worth Rs2,558,990, 2300 packets of Safina brand Indian gutka, 1200 packets of One-2-One Brand gutka, 600 packets of Z-21 gutka made in India worth Rs6,682,000 and he was asked to produce any documents; however, he failed to produce any lawful documents; therefore, goods were taken into custody and he was also arrested by customs officials.
He stated that prosecution needs further investigations from him for arrested of absconding suspects and owner of said goods; therefore, the court may send him back to customs department. After hearing, the court sent him on physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report.
Case was registered for violation of under Section 2 (s) 156(2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clause 89 of Section 156(1) ibid read with Section 3(1) of Imports & Export Control Act, 1950