Model Collecto-rate of Custom (MCC), PaCCS on Wednesday claimed to have confiscated huge quantity of contraband Indian Gutka worth Rs 129.24 million from Karachi port. According to chief Collector, Muhammad Yahya, the collector MCC, PaCCS received credible information that huge quantity of contraband Gutka/Pan Masala, stuffed in five containers had arrived on February, 4 2013 via Dubai against fictitious importer's name/address.
He said that unscrupulous importer had declared the same as building material to dodge Customs Authorities. In order to apprehend the actual culprit, the customs staff maintained strict vigil on the goods and Import General Manifest (IGM), but when no one came forward to claim the clearance.
Therefore, a notice had been issued on given address under Section 82 of the Customs Act 1969 but the same was returned undelivered. Consequently, the joint examination of goods was conducted by R&D and customs examination staff in the presence of the custodian (KICT) that led the recovery of contraband goods "Tobacco Gutka (Goa 1000)". Chief Collector said the contraband goods worth Rs 129.24 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs 69.789 million.
Needless to mention, the import of Gutka is banned as per provision of Appendix-G of 1PO 2013. Therefore, the said importer has contravened the provision of section 16 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with Section 3(1) of the Import Policy Order, 1950. The legal proceeding has been initiated and efforts are being made to nab the culprits.