FIA nabs four customs officials, two agents

Suspects allegedly forged documents to clear illegal items

CHAK JHUMRA:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against eight people including four customs officers and two agents on charges of duty tax evasion.

As per official sources, the tax evaders had caused a loss of millions of rupees to the exchequer by forging documents. A detailed probe has been initiated against the suspects to hold them accountable over their excesses.

FIA officials told The Express Tribune that Zahid Ali, a resident of Himat Pura Bahiwala, brought a consignment of illegal goods from Singapore in which Jamil, his accomplice, and clearing agent Naeem Anwar supported him.

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“The suspects allegedly conspired with the customs staff including Assistant Collector Customs Ahmed Zaheer, Superintendent Customs Mansoor, Inspector Customs Farhan Frank and Appraising Officer Ayesha to clear container number OOLU9479653 illegally,” a FIA officer revealed.

The FIA sealed the container on September 3 and when a re-examination was performed by a team of the customs department comprising Inspector Imdad Ali and Hafiz Waqas, the suspects were allegedly found missing.

The agency officials claimed that they also discovered discrepancies in record of the department compared to the actual goods present.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2021.