KARACHI: MCC Port Qasim has recovered large quantity of betel nut from transshipment (TP) consignment destined for Prem Nagar dry port, Lahore, confirming the pilferage and replacement of TP cargo.
Information was received through Collector Chaudry Jawaid that an attempt would be made to smuggle betel nut from Oman. Additional Collector Yaseen Murtaza advised CIU to mount surveillance on consignments shipped from Oman.
A scrutiny was also conducted by a team headed by Deputy Collector Salman Afzal and comprising Principal Appraiser Shahid Rizvi, Appraising Officers Noor Elahi and Anwer Zeb. It transpired that one consignment destined for Prem Nagar dry port, Lahore imported in the name of M/s MANACO International said to contain plastic PMC stuffed in two containers were manifested against Transshipment Permit (TP).
Due to suspicious nature of the consignment, the containers were put to examination, which led to the recovery of huge quantity of betel nut instead of plastic PMC.
Earlier, such products were being smuggled through Green Channel, now the unscrupulous elements are using transshipment for their dirty business.
However, the authorities are intentionally ignoring this aspect and no strict checks and balances have been implemented to monitor TP cargo. Despite several recommendations, the authorities have not made installation of tracking devices in TP consignments compulsory.
Collector Chaudry Jawaid, Additional Collector Yaseen Murtaza, Deputy Collector Salman Afzal, Principal Appraiser