KARACHI: MCC Exports Port Qasim has lodged an FIR against employees of M/s Sefai Onyx & Marble Handicraft for attempting to smuggle Chinese brand whiskey/wine and other goods out of the KEPZ without payment of duty and taxes.
An official said smuggling of alcohol and liquor multiplied in December ahead of Christmas and New Year. The liquor is imported misusing KEPZ facility as well as in the garb of diplomatic consignments.
According to details, Customs staff apprehended a Toyota Hiace vehicle trying to leave KEPZ premises. The driver of the vehicle is an employee of M/s Sefai Onyx & Marble Handicraft.
The examination of the vehicle led to recovery of 1140 bottles of Chinese brand whiskey, Hadsay Soy Sauce, noodles, jelly, 65-inch LED TV.
The initial facts revealed during the preliminary inquiry prove that the accused persons Ayaz Rana s/o Riaz Muhammad and Babar Ali s/o Abdul Ghaffar knowingly and willfully attempted to illegally remove the non-duty paid as well as banned goods to tariff area during the night time to deceive the customs as well as EPZA security staff posted at the exit gate.
The value of intercepted goods which is now in possession of customs is calculated to Rs4.398 million involving duty/taxes of Rs1.171 million.
FIR to this effect is being lodged, detailed investigations are underway. Collector Export Port Qasim Amir Theim ,Additional Collector Qasim Khokhar and Deputy Collector Amjad Aman Leghari appreciated the efforts of the Customs staff.