KARACHI: Customs Enforcement Karachi has lodged an FIR against M/s Ridhan International. Information was passed through Collector Basit Abbasi to Additional Collector Amanullah Tareen that a huge quantity of smuggled goods are being transported near Nauras Chorangi SITE Karachi. Assistant Collector Aman Sadiq formed a team led by Superintendent Azhar Malik which spotted two trucks/trailers loaded with containers. A Mazda closed container (box container) was also parked near Hafiz Godam S.I.T.E, Karachi alongside a container.
Drivers of both the trailers and Mazda were not present there. Firstly, cursory search found a copy of Equipment Interexchange Report issued by Al-Flah Container Terminal Co., a copy of WeBOC message and two mobile phones were found in the driver’s cabin. The perusal of GD revealed that the goods consisted of Iron & Steel Wire remeltable scrap.
Container was opened by breaking the seal, and toiletries and electronic goods were found inside it which were not declared in the above said GD.
With regards to the second Trailer No loaded with Container, which was already found parked on the sideline of the road, and the goods were being transferred from the truck to a Mazda. At the time of interception, both the drivers of the vehicle were not present on the spot. A cursory search of the Nissan Truck trailer was conducted and a copy of GD, a copy of Equipment Interexchange Report issued by Al-Flah Container Terminal Co. and a copy of WeBOC message were found in the driver’s cabin of the said vehicle.
According to the GD, the goods were declared as Iron & Steel Wire Rod/Seam Wire remeltable scrap, while the goods to be transferred were consisted of deodorants and body sprays.
Both the GDs were filed by M/s Ridhan International Karachi and shipped from the same supplier M/s Synergy Worldwide Dubai and were cleared through Appraisement East, Karachi.
The goods and transporting vehicles worth Rs190 million have been seized. An FIR is lodged against M/s Ridhan International and investigation is in process.
This is case is as mysterious because at assessment containers are opened and photographed showing the goods (scrap), containers are sealed, cleared and gated out. But, when containers caught after clearance and opened, the goods are found to be electronics and other high value goods instead of scrap. Investigation underway whether there is involvement of terminal operator in this scam. Because assessment staff is doing the job examining containers and photographing the same and going through the book.
Investigation is launched to determine how long this practice was on and how much loss it has caused to the national exchequer.
Assistance of sensitive agencies is sought to solve this mystery.
On the instructions of Collector Appraisement East Jameel Baloch, Additional Collector Tahir Abbas also lodged an FIR in this regard. This scam was running at Appraisement East and Appraisement West, and was first ever detected by Enforcemen team of Collector Basit abbasi.