KARACHI: Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has lodged an FIR against several persons for possessing and transporting smuggled betel nut worth Rs9.3 million.
Information was received at the Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation regarding movement of huge quantity of smuggled Betel (Areca) Nuts for its illegal sale and disposal in the open market at Karachi.
In pursuance of the said information, a team of officers of ASO was constituted to foil the attempt of transportation of the smuggled / non duty paid Betel (Areca) Nuts.
Subsequently, the suspected Hino Dumper Truck was spotted. Apparently the Hino Dumper Truck was loaded with crush stone. The person sitting on driving seat introduced himself as Abdul Kareem (Driver) and another person sitting in his side was introduced as Imam Bux (Cleaner) of the Hino Dumper Truck.
Upon search of the aforesaid dumper. many polythene bags filled with foreign origin betel nuts were recovered under the crush stone. The driver and the cleaner were asked to produce documents regarding lawful import / possession of the foreign origin Betel (Areca) Nuts which they failed to produce.
FIR is lodged and investigations are underway.