By Mashhud
KARACHI: Both MCC Preventive Karachi and MCC Appraisement East have submitted interim-challans before the Customs & Taxation Court in the case of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) container replacement case.
MCC Preventive had recovered sizeable quantity of foreign origin cigarettes of assorted brands and flavored tobacco from a container parked at a warehouse at M/s Faheem Industries in Korangi Industrial Area.
Preliminary Investigations revealed that one Fahad Mullah had acquired the premises on rent apparently for the purpose of storage of second hand clothing but he indulged in smuggling of cigarettes, flavored tobacco, betel nut and other goods in the garb of second hand clothing with the connivance of two persons Muhammad Akif and Khuram Saith.
Moreover, it transpired that transporter Shahid had lifted the goods from EPZ and offloaded the same at the warehouse mentioned above on the instructions of Muhammad Akif and Fahad. The accused had imported betel nut mis-declaring them as used clothing purportedly for processing at Export Processing Zone (EPZ), Karachi.
Muhammad Akif has been arrested while he was trying to flee to Dubai. Akif owns M/s GB Global and M/s Pioneer Tobacco & Trading Company. Two accused namely Hammal Baloch and Fahad Ali being associates of Muhammad Akif have also been arrested.
MCC Preventive noted in the challan that the investigations pertained to a white collar crime committed by investors of EPZ Karachi, and investigation is ongoing from various concerned quarter like, EPZA, terminal operator, shipping agents and other involved persons.
MCC Appraisement East in the Challan noted that Muhammad Akif was the mastermind of the scam and his prime associate included Fahad Mullah.
MCC Appraisement East found that the seized container does not carry any real painted number, but multiple stickers reflecting the container number pasted instead of real painted number.
The cartel includes Muhammad Akif, Fahad Mullal, Khurram Sait, Shahrukh and Tariq of clearing agent M/s Yousuf & Co and Shahid transporter, Khalid of M/s Sun Gravure and Khalid’s accomplice who is involved in plastic scrap business. The companies involved include M/s Hands Industries, M/s Laiba Industries, M/s GB Global, M/s Pioneer Tobacco & Trading, M/s Vision Hub and clearing agent M/s Yousuf & Co.
The accused are involved in importing cigarettes, flavored tobacco, betel nut and other goods through mis-declaration for processing at Export Processing Zone (EPZ), but the same were clandestinely removed from EPZ with the help of transporter Shahid; these goods were then leaked into the market.
Sources said MCC Preventive investigation was progressing, but IPS Sardar Yousuf was in contact with this cartel and was trying to manipulate the investigations, while a BS-21 Customs officers is also said to be patronizing the accused.
It is interesting to note that the prime accused Muhammad Akif was granted bail, although he is nominated in Challan but his custody was not taken.
However, Appraisement East has made good progress and collected several evidence. MCC Appraisement East has obtained data and CCTV footage of their containers coming in and going out of EPZ. Similarly, CCTV footage has been obtained from port terminals.
MCC Appraisement noted that the numbers of the vehicles moving in and out remain the same however the color of the vehicles and containers are changed.
Collector Appraisement East Saeed Akram has appointed Principal Appraiser Dost Muhammad Senior Preventive Officer Malak Hashim, Adil Rasheed, Javed Khan and Muhammad Aamir to assist Investigation Officer Ashfaq-ur-Rehman.
It has also been known that the accused were involved in smuggling Acetic Anhydride and ephedrine in the garb of shampoo. Senior officers of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) are also involved in this scam.