Customs officials booked for apple smuggling

Officials had allegedly facilitated traders in avoiding taxes by presenting Iranian apples as imports from Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: The Model Customs Collectorate Preventive has booked officials who are allegedly involved in facilitating some traders in avoiding taxes worth millions by presenting Iranian apples as imports from Afghanistan.

Torkham Customs Station Inspector (Preventive) Dehmash Tahir Muhammad filed the cases under sections 2(s), 14-A, 16, 32(A) 157, 167 and 178 of the Customs Act 1969, besides Rules 554 and 556 of Custom Rules 2001 (punishable under sections 156(1)(8)(14) and (89) of Customs Act 1969).

According to the FIR, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, it has been lodged against the staff of the National Logistic Cell terminal operator, Torkham Customs Station, customs clearing agents, drivers of the vehicles, importers of goods, staff of model custom collectorate enforcement and compliance department who are posted at entry and exit gates of imports and Torkham Customs Station.

The FIR also names staff of the Peshawar Model Custom Collectorate Appraisement and Facilitation department who are posted at the weighbridge, scanning and yard area of imports at Torkham Customs Station and others who could not be unidentified.

The FIR stated that the importers were trying to smuggle in Iranian apples by declaring them as dry fruits, onions, fresh fruit and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2020.