Useable batteries in scrap consignment seized

Acting on a tip-off from an intelligence agency, Customs Enforcement Collector formed a team

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Customs Enforcement has thwarted an attempt to smuggle usable batteries into the country by disguising them as scrap. The illegal shipment, which was cleared through the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), was imported by a company that had obtained clearance for eight containers purportedly containing scrap batteries.

Acting on a tip-off from an intelligence agency, Customs Enforcement Collector Moinuddin Wani formed a team, led by Deputy Collector Syed Muhammad Raza Naqvi. The team intensified surveillance on battery scrap shipments exiting KICT. On Nov 24, they intercepted the consignments cleared by Century Engineering Private Limited at the West Wharf ICI Bridge. During the inspection, the Customs officials requested further documentation from Abdul Aziz, the clearing agent's representative. Aziz provided three Goods Declarations that falsely described the contents as scrap batteries. These documents had cleared the eight containers through the green channel. However, the authorities soon discovered that one of the containers had been diverted to a warehouse at Northern Bypass.

A thorough investigation led to the seizure of all eight containers, valued at Rs4 million. Subsequent testing revealed that the containers, instead of scrap, contained 6,748 usable batteries worth an astounding Rs134.9 million.

Under Pakistan's import policy, the importation of used and old batteries is strictly prohibited, but the importer attempted to bypass the law by falsely declaring the goods as scrap. The Customs registered a case against both the clearing agent and Century Engineering and started investigation. The seized batteries have been shifted to thea Customs warehouse for further action.