KARACHI: Muhammad Hamza S/o Saeed Ahmed was admitted to post arrest bail in a case of smuggling Ketamine weighing 2346 kilograms recovered at Los Angeles Port, California, USA.
Justice Saluddin Panwhar of High Court of Sindh granted bail against a solvent surety of Rupees 500,000. Umer Farooq Advocate represented the applicant/ accused.
According to F.I.R registered by QICT Custom Collectorate, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi, Madni Traders exported a consignment of hand wash/ soap weighing 20600 kilograms, 37632 bottles packed in 3136 cartons. The consignment was loaded on CGM Panama and 2346 kilograms Ketamine was recovered by Home Land Security & Border Protection Agency of USA. The matter was brought to the notice of Government of Pakistan officially and QICT Custom Collectorate lodge the F I.R after seeking prosecution documents and approval.
The applicant / accused was arrested and special judge, custom court Karachi rejected his post arrest bail application vide order dated 4.1.2022 and hence instant bail application was filed umer Farooq Advocate raised please of jurisdiction. He submitted that consignment was exported on 19-7-2021 and Ministry of Narcotics Control vide SRO 1350(1)/2021 dated 15-10-2021 placed Ketamine as psychotropic at Serial number 39-A of Schedule of CNS Act hence, it was not a scheduled offence on the day of alleged occursnce/time of export.
The bench after hearing detailed arguments from both sides admitted accused to bail against a sum of rupees 500,000 and PR bond in the like amount.