KARACHI: The Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, Karachi has made the seizure report against proprietor of M/s A-Z Corporation Abdul Dawood, its front man Shahid Khatri, Muhammad Zubair of M/s A-Z Corporation, Jawad Ghaffar of Xtreme Cars and clearing agent M/s L J Corporation for mis-declaration of description, quantity, value and H S Code of the imported goods.
According to details, the importers and allies tried to smuggle foreign origin liquor assorted brand under the garb of import of Test Liner Recycle Liner Paper Rolls.
The actual value of the seized goods including whisky, alcohol beverages of assorted brands concealed inside 18 Rolls of Test Liner Recycle Liner Paper including 3340 bottles of Black Label, 1030 bottles of Red Label, 993 bottles of White & Mac, 298 bottles of Cattos, 181 bottles of Vodka, 260 bottles of Cordier, 212 bottles of Grant, 1 bottle of Medoc, 4 bottles of Listel, 141 bottles of Chivas Regal, 293 cases of 6816 cans of Beer Carlsberg with a total value of Rs 10,317,043 while the alleged importer and allies declared Test Liner Recycle Liner Paper in Rolls (Brown), 150GSM width 125cm, 18 Rolls Net Weight 19500Kgs from UAE Origin having HS Code 4805.2400.
The Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR Karachi stated in its seizure report that the accused violated the Sections 2(s), 16, 32(1), 32(2), 79(1), 178 and 192 of the Customs Act, 1965 punishable under clauses (8), (9), (14), (45), (86) and 89 of Section 156(1) ibid read with Section3(1) (3) of the Import and Export (Control) Act, 1950 Section 3,6 (1) 33, 34 & 36 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Section 148 (1) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
As per details, a credible information was received in the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, Karachi that M/s A-Z Corporation with the active connivance of its associates in crime were involved in the smuggling of contraband items (liquor/beer) by mis-declaring its description, value and classification.
The sources identified one of such consignments containing grossly mis-declared goods stuffed in 1×40 feet container No. BAXU-5006745, imported vide IGM No. KAPE-225/2014 Index No 283 under Bill of Lading No. BAXSSS042797, lying at PICT East Wharf.
In pursuance of information, the staff of Directorate General of I&I online blocked the Container in system which was imported by A-Z Corporation declared to contain Test Liner Recycle Liner paper in rolls (Brown).
During preliminary investigation, it transpired that the importer M/s A-Z Corporation filed online GD Machine No. KAPE-HC-118346 under sub-clause (b) of Sub-Section (1) of Section 79 of the Customs Act, 1969 in the WeBOC System through Muhammad Javed of M/s L J Corporation, wherein self-assessed tax liability on the aforesaid declared description of the consignment. The declared description was confirmed by examination staff posted at PICT Karachi and was assessed accordingly by the appraising staff of MCC-Appraisement (East), Karachi.
In order to confirm the veracity of examination prior to re-examination, the weighment of the container was carried out at PICT Weigh Bridge. Subsequently, the staff of Directorate General Customs I&I in the presence of 2 witnesses Yard Supervisor and Yard Checker, PICT East Wharf re-examined the Container No BAXU-5006745 at PICT, East Wharf which resulted into the recovery of Whisky/alcohol beverages of assorted brands concealed inside the 18 Rolls of Test Liner Recycle Liner Paper.
Furthermore, the Directorate General of I&I has established that the importer M/s A-Z Corporation and its allies were involved in smuggling of contraband items costing Rs10,317,043.