KARACHI:  MCC Export Port Qasim has lodged an FIR against M/s Sun Graver for smuggling out dutiable goods by violating KEPZ procedures.

Collector Export Port Qasim Samina Wajid had information that some unscrupulous elements were misusing the facility and causing loss to the exchequer. Units at KEPZ are allowed to import raw material and goods at concessionary rates but with the provision that the same had to be re-exported after value addition.

According to the details of the case, a Mazda Truck bearing Registration No. JY-6884 managed to exit from KEPZ (Karachi Export Processing Zone) gate by hoodwinking gate security under the cover of other vehicles.

The KEPZ intelligence staff intercepted the vehicle on the outside exit gate of Karachi Export Processing Zone, at main Korangi road Karachi and asked for clearance documents which the driver could not produce.

The KEPZ intelligence staff brought the vehicle back inside KEPZ completing necessary formalities at their end. After necessary proceedings by KEPZ, the truck along with goods and driver, accused Aziz-ur-Rehman s/o Mirza Khan was handed over to Customs.

During the preliminary inquiry, the driver stated that he was directed by the truck owner Rafique to bring said truck loaded with goods which was parked inside the KEPZ at weighment bridge.

He denied to have any information that from which unit the goods were loaded on the said truck. Further he also denied to have any information as to who drove the said truck inside KEPZ. The said statements of the driver were prima facie, found to be incorrect and concealing the actual facts because the vehicle could not have entered KEPZ without any driver. Thus the driver tried to conceal facts by hiding the real culprits.

The documents submitted at the KEPZ gate for the entry of said two trucks were retrieved, which showed that two trucks bearing registration numbers JY-5668 and JY-6884 (the detained vehicle) had entered KEPZ in the name of M/s Sun Graver for loading of plastic film in rolls from its premises.

Thus the said two trucks were entered KEPZ on the authorization of M/s Sun Graver. Efforts were made to locate other truck bearing No. JY-5668 , but couldn’t be found either in or outside KEPZ. Further efforts are underway to nab the said truck. It was also learnt that one Khalid looks after the affairs of M/s Sun Graver along with the accused owner. No one including the accused owner appeared to clarify their role and position in the instant case.

The goods loaded on the said truck were examined and was found that cigarette paper rolls (5620 Kg gross weighment) were loaded on the truck. It is pertinent to mention that the said goods fall under the category of restricted items under Import Policy Order and importable only by the registered cigarette manufacturers.

It is clear that M/s Sun Graver along with trucks owner, driver and other accomplices smuggled out dutiable goods by violating KEPZ procedures. The role of customs gate staff is being ascertained.

Accordingly the offending goods along with vehicle have been seized, driver has been arrested, FIR is lodged and further investigations are underway.