KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer (IO) to arrest owners, partners, associates, financiers, masterminds, who were allegedly involved in smuggling huge quantities of contraband goods into Pakistan for illegal sale in the local market.
On 26 June 2021, investigation officer of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR submitted that on actionable information, customs officials raided at Boltan Market Opposite Yousaf Plaza, M.A Jinnah Road Karachi and found 2,250,000 sticks of Benson Hedges Cigarettes, 2, 340,000 sticks of Dunhill Cigarettes, 144, 000 pouches of Pan Rass Gutkha Satyapal Shivkumar Unit No 105 & 205, GG & FF, Tapti, SDF Complex, KASEZ, Gandhidham-370230 Gujrat, India, 75,000 pouches of Razhmi Gutkha Unit No 105 & 205, GG & FF, Tapti, SDF Complex, KASEZ, Gandhidham-370230 Gujrat, India, 100 jars of Razhmi Pan Masala Unit No 105 & 205, GG & FF, Tapti, SDF Complex, KASEZ, Gandhidham-370230 Gujrat, India.
Investigation officer submitted that after the formalities, customs officials seized the same which are estimated valuing of Rs 80,110,000 and lodged the first information report.
He argued that efforts are underway to ascertain the owners of the goods and arrest all the culprits, the role of other accomplice/ associates-in-crime abettors, including their possible supporters, will be determined during the course of investigation of the case.
After the hearing, the court took a first information report on the court record and directed the investigation officer to complete the investigation and submit a progress report for the next date of hearing.