Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) of Appraisement-East on Friday claimed to have foiled an attempt for smuggling huge quantity of betel nuts under the guise of soap stock. According to details, following the stiff vigilance, the examination officers of the collectorate has found betel nuts in another consignment [vide GD No. KAPE-HC-170594, dated 28-03-2018 filed by M/s Ali Bagh Enterprises-NTN No. 1020895] at PICT, which were concealed in iron drums declared to contain soap stock. It was the 5th such consignment which was recently intercepted by the collectorate.
However, almost 90 percent of drum space was filled with betel nuts while a layer of soap stock was placed on top of the drum to conceal presence of betel nuts underneath.
The consignment comprising of five containers was shipped from Jebel-e-Ali port and trader's profile reflected that it was the first GD filed by the said commercial importer. The clearing agent, present on spot, is under customs custody and efforts are being made to locate the owner of M/s Ali Bagh Enterprises.
To counter similar attempts of smuggling/illegal clearance, MCC Appraisement-East has placed all soap stock consignments originating from Jabel-e-Ali port under high alert and the examination staff has also been instructed to remain extra vigilant while examining similar consignments.
The information has also been shared with other Appraisement Collectorates to intercept similar consignments having same modus operandi and port of shipment to foil attempts of illegal clearance of betel nuts under the garb of soap stock.