KARACHI: MCC Port Qasim has lodged an FIR against owner of M/s Premier Plastic Recycling Company, one Usman Ali and others for attempting to import and clear betel nut in the garb of plastic cable cover scrap.
According to the details of the case, M/s Premier Plastic imported a consignment from M/s Evershinning General Trading LLC Dubai and sought clearance through the agent M/s Ehsan Sons declaring the goods to be plastic cable scrap. The consignment was marked for examination under Red category.
The examination led to recovery of restricted item i.e. betel nuts. The consignment was accordingly seized. Clearing Agent Qalandar Bux of M/s Ehsan Sons informed that he was engaged for clearance of the impugned consignment by one Usman Ali s/o Munir Hussain. Usman Ali had provided the import documents to file GD. Moreover, Usman Ali is the owner of cargo, which he imported under the title of M/s Premier Plastic Recycling Company.
It was also known that Ghulam Qaiser owner of M/s Premier Plastic and Usman Ali were close associates and partners. Qalandar Bux claimed that he filed the GD on the basis of documents provided by USman Ali including invoice, B/L and PSI certificate and paid the duty/taxes received from Usman Ali.
It may be mentioned here that M/s Bureau Veritas issued Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate (PSI) ostensibly for the exportation of plastic cable cover scrap. Considering the recovery of betel nut from the consignment their role in this case is dubious which should be ascertained during investigation.
It is pertinent to point out that import of betel nut is restricted and requires fulfillment of certain conditions as per the Import Policy Order.
An FIR has been lodged and attempts are being made to arrest the absconding accused including Ghulam Qaiser and Usman Ali. Further investigations are underway.