KARACHI: MCC Preventive and MCC Exports Port Qasim in a joint operation recovered two containers of betel nut from M/s Sun Gravure at EPZ in Port Qasim.
Information was received that two containers in the name of importer M/s Sun Gravure EPZ Port Qasim are lying at KICT stuffed with betel nut instead of declared goods plastic film rolls. It was also known that after clearance of these containers through mis-declaration at port area, the restricted betel nut will be removed in clandestine way in which one Abdul Moeez Majeed Bhawani would play a role as the master mind in arrangements. M/s Progressive Movers had filed the GD for the said two containers declaring the goods to be assorted plastic films for further processing in rolls.
The consignment was blocked at KICT by MCC Preventive and joint examination by MCC Preventive and MCC Exports Port Qasim led to the recovery of 27.8 tons of betel nut.
Information was passed through Collector MCC Preventive Dr. Iftikhar to Deputy Collector Mohammad Faisal regarding import of betel nut to EPZ in the garb of plastic scrap. The information was shared with Collector Exports Saifuddin Junejo and Deputy Collector Ali Aijaz, and a joint operation was conducted.
Betel nut import through mis-declaration has become a highly profitable business due to very high margins. It is known that certain other businesses such as clearing agents, importers, manufacturers and builders as well as Customs officers/officials have indulged into illegitimate import of betel nut.
An FIR has been lodged in this regard and investigations are underway.
It may be mentioned here that Collector Exports Saifuddin Junejo a couple of months ago had written letters to Collector Preventive and Chief Collector Appraisement South had recommended that all consignments before leaving the port for EPZ should be examined by concerned import collectorate and the GD may be out of charge accordingly. Subsequently, system based acknowledgement for warehousing of goods into the zone is to be done on similar lines as is the case with manufacturing bonds/EOU.