LAHORE: The Investigation and Prosecution team of the Pakistan Customs on Wednesday failed to produce Czech heroin lady smuggler Tereza before the court due to other duties of the police officials who were busy in dealing with Punjab University students’ clash issue and Zainab murder case.
Judicial remand of the Tereza ended on Wednesday as it was approved by the court on January 10 for 14 days.
Tereza Hluskova, 21, was trying to smuggle a nine-kilogram heroin when she was held by the Customs at the Lahore Airport. The 21-year-old model was travelling to Ireland via Abu Dhabi from Lahore.
Hluskova, who is currently detained in the Lahore jail, was to be presented before Magistrate Zafar Farid Hashmi. However customs officials could only present a resident of Gujranwala who is alleged to be the woman’s facilitator.
The alleged facilitator, who was remanded for another fourteen days, maintained that Tereza Hluskova was sent to the country by his brother’s friend.
He also revealed that the woman has made several visits to the country in the recent past. Authorities are yet to determine as to who handed over the drug-filled bag to the Czech model at the airport.
Deputy High Commissioner of Czech Republic Embassy in Pakistan also reached the court to attend the hearing along with the counsel, Ch Jawad Zafar.
Following her arrest, Tereza’s custody remained a bone of contention amongst the officials of three Pakistani departments–Customs, ANF and ASF. The situation aggravated to such an extent that officers from these departments started conducting legal research leaving behind all the departmental work just to win the woman’s custody. The woman is currently held at Kot Lakhpat jail under Section-9C.
As per law, a person found guilty in smuggling of over 10kg of any prohibited drug is handed death sentence or life term in Pakistan. If a person is found with drugs less than 10kg in weight, he can be sentenced to 10 years. Drug smuggling is a non-bailable offence.