Cargos from eight ISAF retrograde containers were stolen while Customs Intelligence & Investigation (CI&I)-FBR, Karachi claimed to have seized some nine more ISAF containers, carrying hazardous chemical at Port Qasim area. This was stated by Asif Margoob Siddiqui, Director, CI&I-FBR, Karachi at a press conference held at Karachi Press Club here on Friday.
He said CI&I on the information of its Director General Lutfullah Virk detained 17 retrograde ISAF containers, which were lying at Exports Collectorate, Port Qasim for last four months.
He said CI&I had information that description of cargos stuffed in those reverse containers, destined to Germany, was mis-declared in Customs documents.
In order to verify the veracity of the information, a team of CI&I visited Exports Collectorate, Port Qasim and found that the containers are present at the place.
Consequently, concerned bonded carrier and clearing agent were summoned by the CI&I to get explanation why these reverse containers were not re-exported to Germany for last four months. However, concerned bonded carrier was unable to provide satisfactory explanation that led physical examination of these containers.
Asif further said physical examination of these containers revealed that out of total 18 containers, eight containers were loaded with wooden pallets and concrete bricks, albeit the same were declared as batteries filed with acid and tube lights in customs goods declarations.
Astonishingly, CI&I team found some nine containers loaded with hazardous chemical while rest of the one container was held by Anti Narcotics Force, he maintained.
Moreover, Asif said that eight containers loaded with wooden pallets and concrete bricks were seized under Customs Act 1969 while nine containers carried harmful chemical were not examined by the CI&I team, due to safety issues.
He said Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and other concerned agencies were requested to assist the department for its examination. Director further said that those reverse ISAF cargos, which were sent from Turkham Custom Station Peshawar Customs House, were being retrograded by bonded carrier Port Connection (Pvt) Limited, Karachi to Germany through Port Qasim (Exports) Collectorate, Karachi and added that representative of bonded carrier was detained while more arrests were expected in coming days.
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