lahore
A tax and duties evasion scandal involving millions of rupees was detected after the seizure of another consignment of 4 imported containers.
Official sources said on Sunday that it was brought to notice of DG Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Lutfullah Virk that a gang has been involved in a scandal of unlawful unloading of heavy duty imported goods with replacement of low duty goods by breaking the seals of containers at bonded career near Manga Mandi.
The DG, constituted a raiding team comprising Additional Director, Mohsin Rafiq, Deputy Director, Dr.Rizwan Salabat, Superintendent Gulzar Butt, Intelligence Officers, Mian Muhammad Yasin, Zahid Saleem Mirza, S.M.Abass and Syed Amir Raza Rizvi under the supervision of Director, Intelligence Imtiaz Ali Khan.
When the team dashed to the specific hideout, seals of the all containers were broken illegally with rod cut and heavy duty imported electronic and autoparts goods were being allegedly replaced with low duty tissues, marble slabs, glass balls and clay.
On seeing the raiding team, all accused fled the scene by taking advantage of darkness. The entire goods were taken into custody after registration of a case against eight accused persons. The modus operandi of the gang was, the imported containers on way to Lahore from Karachi, after unloading and replacement were re-sealed properly and despatched to Lahore Dryport for examination and clearance after payment of nominal 5pc taxes and duties instead of 35pc. It may be mentioned here Mian Muhammad Yasin also detected tax evasion of Rs 200 million last month from 57 imported containers.