KARACHI: MCC Preventive and MCC Exports in a joint operation recovered two containers of betel nut from M/s Sun Graverl at EPZ in Karachi.

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 opetation was conducted, which led to recovery of betel nut.

The consignment was cleared at KICT through green channel transshipment cargo to EPZ.

Initial investigations found that six such containers had earlier been cleared in this way. Sources said one Khalid and Mirza Ehtesham are the master minds of this scam.

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.