Karachi Director Customs Intelligence Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui on Friday revealed that Customs Intelligence Karachi took into custody a huge consignment of 17 containers that were to be re-exported and destined for Germany.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, he said acting on authentic information of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that the containers belonging to (ISAF) were containing goods other than the declaration made in export documents of customs which were lying on Port Qasim (Exports) Collectorate for the last four months and were not being actually exported.
A team of customs officials led by Additional Director Nadeem Ahsan and Assistant Director Kaleemullah visited Port Qasim (Exports) Collectorate.
During their visit, the containers were found present at the collectoarte where Bonded carrier and clearing agent were summoned and asked to explain the reason that why those containers were yet present there and were not exported. However, they could not provide a satisfactory explanation according to the export declaration.
Siddiqui said batteries and tube lights filled with acid were declared in eight constrainers; however, physical examination revealed that wooden pallets and concrete bricks were loaded in the same. Therefore, the information proved authentic that actual goods to be exported were removed and pilferage done.
He said those eight containers were seized after fulfilling the legal formalities under Customs Act, 1969.
The director further told media persons that those goods of ISAF forces were sent from Torkham Custom Station, Peshawar Customs House, and were being re-exported to Germany through Port Qasim (Exports) Collectorate Karachi by bonded carrier Port Connection (Pvt) Ltd Karachi.
He said representative of bonded carrier had been arrested and more arrests were expected while nine containers loaded with drums having hazardous material also had been taken into the custody and would be examined with the help of concerned departments from the safety point of view.
He said one container blocked by ANF had not been taken into custody. An FIR has been lodged and further investigations are under way.
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