- Customs Raid Uncovers Smuggling: On July 31, 2024, Customs Enforcement seized high-end foreign food items, including chocolates and cheese, during a raid at a Karachi godown. The goods initially declared as diplomatic cargo for the Embassy of Libya, were found to be unlawfully distributed in the local market.
- Diplomatic Misuse and Misdeclaration: The investigation revealed that the items were mis-declared to conceal their true nature and were being smuggled under diplomatic cover. The proforma invoice did not match the seized goods, indicating fraudulent activity.
- Corruption Allegations: The case has also highlighted potential corruption within Customs Enforcement, with reports suggesting that a Customs official might have been involved in facilitating the smuggling operation, further complicating the issue
Customs Raid Uncovers High-End Smuggling Attempt
In a significant development, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement has thwarted an attempt to smuggle imported food items worth millions of Pakistani rupees, allegedly linked to the Embassy of Libya in Pakistan. The incident has sparked serious questions about the potential misuse of diplomatic privileges by foreign missions in Pakistan, including the Libyan Embassy.
Allegations suggest that certain foreign missions might be facilitating elements to import goods under diplomatic cover and unlawfully distributing them in the local market, resulting in substantial financial losses for Pakistan. Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the matter to uncover the full extent of the scam.
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According to reliable sources, on July 31, 2024, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement received credible information about the smuggling of assorted foodstuffs. The goods were reportedly stored at Sadiq Godown on Miskeen Street, Off Old Queens Road, adjacent to M.T Road in Karachi, awaiting illegal distribution in the local market.
Acting swiftly on this tip-off, a Customs team was assembled, led by DC-ASO, SPS-ASO Mr. Muhammad Habib Mayo. The team included Niaz Ahmed (PO), Raja Abdul Salam (PO), Shamas Ul Arfieen (PO), Imran Maqsood (PO), and other members. Due to the urgent nature of the situation, obtaining a search warrant under Section 162 of the Customs Act, 1969, was not feasible. Consequently, the provisions of Section 163 of the Customs Act, 1969, were invoked to conduct an immediate search, with all necessary legal formalities completed beforehand.
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At around 9:05 pm, the Customs team arrived at the location and introduced themselves to Muhammad Suleman, the watchman on duty. They explained the purpose of their visit and presented Suleman with a copy of the search warrant under Section 163 of the Customs Act, 1969, which he duly signed. The team commenced the search in the presence of witnesses Raja Abdul Salam (PO) and Imran Maqsood (PO). They observed a Hino Mazda truck with registration number JT-0985 and container number MWCU5699067 parked inside the premises near the shed.
The goods were being unloaded from the container into the shed. When asked about the owner or custodian of the vehicle and the shed, the watchman responded that the shed was rented to Mir Zar Ali, who had brought the vehicle to shift goods from the container to the shed. The labor personnel, Imran Khan and Abdul Salam, stated that they were hired by Mir Zar Ali to transfer the foreign-origin goods into the shed. The driver, Ali Raza, was questioned about the import documents, but he replied that Mir Zar Ali had not provided him with any documents.
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After completing legal formalities, the Customs team conducted a cursory search of the goods in the godown, which included food items like Hershey’s, Tiny Toblerone, Biscoff, Maltesers, and Raffaello. The same goods were also found in the container. The Customs team asked the watchman and labor personnel to inform Mir Zar Ali and request the necessary documents. Despite waiting for a considerable amount of time, no one appeared to claim ownership of the goods or provide any lawful documents.
The statements of the individuals present were recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. Given the credible information, the goods in the shed were shifted back to the container and taken into possession for detailed examination and further legal formalities. The vehicle with registration number JT-0985 and container number MWCU5699067 were moved to the State Warehouse CPF Maripur Karachi under escort. A musheernama was prepared detailing all the proceedings carried out.
At State Warehouse CPF Maripur Karachi, a detailed examination was conducted in the presence of musheers, namely Raja Abdul Salam (PO) and Imran Maqsood (PO). This examination led to the recovery of high-end foreign-origin food items, including Maltesers Chocolate, Cadbury Cocoa Chocolate, Tiny Toblerone, Hershey’s Chocolate, Strawberry Flavored Milk, Raffaello Chocolate, Twix Chocolate, Tiffany Crunch and Cream, Kraft Cheddar Cheese, Kinder Joy, Puck Cheese, Kinder Bueno, Hershey’s Kisses Chocolate, Mars Chocolate, Toblerone, Dairy Milk Chocolate, Kiri Cream, Galaxy Fruit and Nut, Almarai Cream, Nutella, Biscoff Biscuits, and Toblerone Milk. A separate detailed inventory was prepared and signed by both musheers.
Diplomatic Misuse and Misdeclaration Revealed
Following the examination, an inquiry was initiated regarding the detained vehicle with registration No. JT-0985 and container No. MWCU5699067. Meanwhile, a Note Verbale from the Embassy of Libya to the Deputy Chief Protocol MOFA was received, claiming ownership of container No. MWCU5699067. Since the detained container was recovered from a private godown and de-stuffing was being carried out by unauthorized persons at the time of interception, it was deemed imperative to probe the matter further.
Diplomatic cargo is not permitted to be discharged at unauthorized locations, and the recovered goods were destined for the Embassy of Libya, Islamabad. The scope of the inquiry was extended, and facts were cross-checked. During the course of the inquiry, it was revealed that container No. MWCU5699067 had been cleared via GD No. KAPW-PP-14783-29-07-2024 and was destined for the Embassy of Libya, Islamabad.
The proforma invoice attached in the WEBOC system was cross-checked against the recovered goods. The reconciliation showed that the recovered goods did not match the items listed in the proforma invoice, establishing that the goods were misdeclared to conceal the identity of high-end food items.
Officials told The Islamabad Telegraph that following this development, efforts were made to collect corroborative evidence against the individuals involved in smuggling under the guise of diplomatic cargo. Ali Muhammad, who provided transportation services via vehicle No. JT-0985, was summoned. His statement revealed that two vehicles, registration numbers TLA-148 and JT-0985, were hired by Mir Zar Ali to shift containers from the port to private godowns. On July 29, 2024, driver Mazhar Ali (CNIC No. 45303-8569875-7) took custody of container No. TRIU-8190390 from KGTL terminal on vehicle No. TLA-148.
The container was taken to a private godown near Superhighway, Karachi, where it was de-sealed by laborers on the instructions of Mir Zar Ali, and the goods were shifted to various Mazdas present there. These Mazdas, loaded with goods, then left the godown for onward transportation within Karachi. The empty container No. TRIU-8190390 was returned to Friends Yard Keamari Karachi on July 30, 2024. Driver Mazhar Ali (CNIC No. 45303-8569875-7) was also summoned for a statement, in which he acknowledged the aforementioned facts. The same fact was corroborated by M/s. Friends Cargo Stevedores, who confirmed that empty container No. TRIU-8190390 was received at their yard on July 30, 2024.
The history of container No. TRIU-8190390 was checked in WEBOC, revealing that it had been cleared via GD No. KAPE-PP-4025-24-07-2024 in the name of the Embassy of Libya. The container was gated out on July 29, 2024, at 10:27 pm from KGTL and was destined for the Embassy of Libya, Islamabad, but was de-stuffed in a private godown near the Superhighway in Karachi. Sufficient evidence was collected to substantiate that high-end food items had been imported as diplomatic cargo for personal use under misdeclaration but were distributed in the local market in Karachi. In this instance, the detained goods were intended for sale in the local market, but the Customs team intercepted the container in time, foiling the smuggling attempt.
The inquiry concluded that unscrupulous elements were using diplomatic cover to smuggle high-end food items under the guise of misdeclaration. Diplomatic cargo is treated as privileged and exempt from examination and duty taxes, but fraudsters conspired to smuggle high-end food items, causing a loss to the national exchequer amounting to millions of rupees. “Therefore, all the recovered foreign-origin goods were seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969, with a proper musheernama and inventory prepared on the spot, duly signed by the witnesses.
In light of the foregoing, it is proved beyond any doubt that the accused, Mir Zar Ali, along with others, was willfully and deliberately involved in the smuggling of high-end foreign-origin foodstuffs. This action constitutes violations of Sections 2(s), 16, 17, 178, and 187 of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under sub-clause (e)(i) of clause (8) and clause (89) of Section 156(1), read with Section 156(2), and clauses (1) and (2) of Section 157, as well as Section 3(1) of the Import & Exports Control Act, 1950,” a senior official from the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement told this correspondent.
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Sources told this correspondent that an officer on duty informed higher officials of Customs Enforcement about the incident, requesting competent authority to take immediate action.
“I am writing to bring to your attention a serious incident involving the Customs Authority in Karachi. During a recent raid, a cargo shipment linked to a smuggling cartel was seized. Disturbingly, it has come to our attention that a member of Customs Operations has aligned with this cartel, using their position and resources to facilitate the release of the seized cargo. This misuse of power by high-ranking officials with corrupt motives must be addressed urgently. It is imperative
