KARACHI: IRS officials on deputation in Pakistan Customs have been caught red-handed while extorting businessmen.

According to the details of the case, information was received that some fraudsters pretending to be employees of Intelligence & Investigation – Inland Revenue broken into the premises of M/s Memon Enterprises and demanded extortion money.

Assistant Director Mujeeb Nasir abd Auditor Saeed Khan reached the spot and one fraudster Javed Ahmed was taken into safe custody whereas his five other accomplices fled the scene on seeing the officials approaching.

The accused drove in different vehicles such as Land Cruiser and Vigo bearing GP (Government of Pakistan) number plates.  On investigation the accused introduced himself as Customs Intelligence Officer while his accomplices were identified as Intelligence Officer Khurram, Sepoys Khuda Bux, Azam, Habibullah and driver Rajab.

The accused two Intelligence Officers are originally IRS-Intelligence & Investigation, but these were transferred on deputation to Customs Intelligence & Investigation. All these officials have been put on duty-off while Director Asif Marghoob Siddiqui has recommended to Director General Imtiaz Ahmed to transfer these men back to IRS.

It may be recalled that officials of Customs Intelligence & Investigation have been involved in patronizing smugglers and enabling replacement of transshipment cargo for several years.