DGI&I foils bid to import banned splint armour items on misdeclaration

The Directorate-General of Intelligence and Investigation (DGI&I), FBR, Karachi, has foiled an attempt to import huge quantity of splint armour, and various other restricted items, which are particularly used for manufacturing 'armoured personnel carriers' (APCs), and 'bullet proof vehicles' (BPVs).
The action was taken on a tip-off, which said that XDS Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, having NTN No 30123 18-6, and Xtreme Defence System (Pvt) Ltd bearing NTN No 2675326, located at Clifton, Karachi, have imported multiple consignments of ballistic steel, ballistic glass, ballistic steel kits and various other banned items falling under PCI heading 8710.0000.
Sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday that these companies had misdeclared the description, quantity, value and PCI code as mild steel plates (premium), hot rolled steel plates, steel plates, wind shield glass, car glass, car mats, etc.
They said that these companies had also misdeclared the consignments of safety and security film, as polyester film, and had cleared the same at Karachi Air Freight Unit (KAFU), causing huge losses to the national exchequer. They said that XDS Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd and Xtreme Defence System (Pvt) Ltd were reportedly involved in clearing some 27 consignments from KAFU with grossly under-invoiced value.
Sources said the department has so far calculated around Rs 9.4 million as recoverable amount, which would be recovered and would be deposited in the national kitty shortly. They said these companies had cleared large number of consignments through Rawalpindi AirFreight Unit (RAFU), and added that they had also imported some consignments with different names, on which investigation was in progress.
They said the initial investigation disclosed that both companies had already supplied some 14 APCs, 23 armoured vehicles across the country, which could be used against armed forces in the troubled areas.
They said that the banned items, comprising ballistic steel, ballistic glass, anti blast, anti fragmentation bomb blanket, ballistic kits, and explosion proof balls, etc, have so far been imported, and added that these companies have also evaded sales tax, which is leviable on the supply of goods. They said the FIR has been lodged but no arrest has so far been made as the importers were granted bail before arrest from the court.