KARACHI: Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs Karachi has displayed extra-ordinary progress in performance of Anti-Smuggling as well as Enforcement functions during the first two quarters of the financial year 2019-20.
On the directives of Director Irfan Javed, efforts were beefed up and all formations of the Directorate were mobilized so as to ensure maximum output to achieve, rather surpass the objectives. As a result, Directorate has not only been able to effectively counter smuggling but has also been successful in creating deterrence among unscrupulous elements attempting to engage in evasion of duties and taxes through mis-declaration at various ports.
It is pertinent to mention here that the team of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Karachi comprising Additional Director Ali Zaman Gardezi, Deputy Director Saad Ata Rabbani, Superintendent Sikandar Khanzada and others, under the able leadership of Director Irfan Javed, improved its performance of anti-smuggling and enforcement functions but also registered a significant increase in terms of revenue realization.
The directorate realized revenue of Rs316 million during the first half of FY20 ended December 31, 2019, which is highest in the last five years.
Some of the major enforcement cases during the period under review include seizure of iron and steel coils on information of evasion of legitimate government revenue to the tune of Rs59.88 million through misuse of SRO 655(I)/2006; detection of huge evasion of Rs221.71 million by M/s Oil & Gas Development Company by undue claiming exemption under SRO 678(I)/2004; seizure of liquor worth Rs18.19 million from the embassies of Lebanon and Algeria; seizure of consignment and lodging of FIR against M/s Jutt Lights for evasion of duty and taxes amounting Rs4.698 million; detection of evasion of duty and taxes by M/s Ranipur Sugar Mills amounting to Rs3.09 million and seizure of consignment and lodging of FIR against M/s Loyal Traders involving evasion of duty and taxes of Rs4.8 million.
During the period under review Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation made one of the largest seizures in recent history of smuggled and non-duty paid foreign origin goods from Yousuf Goth Bus Terminal valuing Rs469.857 million involving duty/taxes of Rs274.65 million.
The directorate also seized 60,000 liters of smuggled Irani diesel valuing Rs14.68 million, as well as non-duty paid foreign origin whey milk powder valuing Rs11.5 million.