KARACHI: MCC Appraisement West has lodged two separate FIRs against certain importers/agents for forging import document to circumvent the provisions of SRO 598(I)/2022. Through the SRO 598(I)/2022, the federal government imposed ban on import of certain luxury and non-essential items.
Information was received that M/s Haji Muhammad Enterprise being a commercial importer imported a consignment declared to contain “Dinner Sets” from Shekou, China and filed GD through its authorized clearing agent M/s. Haji Muhammad Enterprise. The importer/agent was reported to be involved in production/ scanning of manipulated/forged import documents (Bill of Lading), as attested by the shipping line M/s Green Pak Shipping (Pvt) Limited, Karachi, in the WeBOC system in order to import items which are otherwise banned in terms SRO 598(1)/2022 dated 19.05.2022.
In order to check the veracity the information, through scrutiny of all attached documents, it is revealed that the importer with the active connivance of his clearing agent has provided the forged bill of lading showing date as 17.05.2022 instead of actual date of bill of lading as 29.05.2022 in order to clear the consignment to escape implication of SRO 598(1)/2022 dated 19.05.2022. The consignment was examined to confirm declaration and all other aspects.
In view of the foregoing, it is clearly evident that Malik Imran of M/s. Haji Mohammad Enterprises alongwith his clearing agent Asif Malik of M/s Haji Muhammad Enterprise and Farhan Ali clandestinely hoodwinked the customs authorities by providing/scanning manipulated/forged import documents (Bill of Lading) in the WeBOC system.
An FIR is lodged against the accused and the role of other accomplices, abettors and facilitators will be ascertained during the course of the investigation.
Another FIR is lodged against M/s I & H Services. The importer imported Tortilla Chips Salted Flavor and Tortilla Chips Sweet Chilli Flavor from Jabel Ali through its authorized clearing agent M/s. Ahmed Associates. Importer/agent have been found involved in production/scanning of manipulated/forged import documents (Bill of Lading) in the WeBOC system in order to import items which are otherwise banned vide SRO 598(1)/2022 dated 19.05.2022.