KARACHI: Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I Karachi) has arrested one Khurram owner of M/s Laiba Industries (Pvt) Ltd, who was wanted for illegally removing goods from Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to local markets and warehouses.

Director Yaqoob Mako had tasked Additional Director Rana Tasleem to arrest the prime accused i.e. Khurram of M/s Laiba Industries. On the instructions of Deputy Director Rana Aftab, IO Sadiq had been tracking the accused, and subsequently he was arrested from outside the Customs Court, where the accused had arrived to obtain a bail.

An FIR had been lodged against owner of M/s Laiba Industries and others for illegally removing goods from Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to local markets and warehouses.

Sources said Khurram of M/s Laiba Industries had had contracts with many companies in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and he used to illegally remove the goods out of EPZ through various methods, and had also established nexus with EPZ officials.

Sources said betel nut, chemicals, cigarettes, cloth, and several other banned goods had been removed from EPZ illegally causing huge loss to the national exchequer.

Sources said a practice of illegal removal of goods from Export Processing Zone to local market was on for some time and EPZ officials were involved in this business. It was also known that goods were being removed from EPZ in garbage dumpers with goods hidden underneath the trash.

An official said it was big achievement of I&I Karachi, and investigations into the matter underway.