KARACHI: A racket of betel nut smugglers that got cleared consignments of betel nuts under the garb of iron/steel coils and galvanised plain sheets by misusing transshipment permits (TPs) containers facility has been uncovered by the Pakistan Customs. According to details, at least four Karachi-based traders in connivance with importers of other cities are involved in smuggling of betel nuts via dry ports instead of Karachi port to rake in illegal profit, as the import of betel nuts is restricted without necessary documentation and certificates. It is worthy to mention that price of betel nut has jacked up to Rs 2,500 per kg from Rs 300 per kg due to the restriction on its import and till now approximately over 200 containers of betel nuts are stationed at all ports and terminals of Karachi waiting for clearance. Also the apex court had directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Customs officials to ensure that low-quality and hazardous betel nuts were not supplied to the country, as the youth of all major cities of Pakistan, especially Karachi, were becoming victims of various diseases by chewing gutka, manipuri, mawa and other products. The network, comprising Jameel Ali, owner of M/s Ajmair Impex, Lahore, Directors of M/s Arose Transport And Logistics, Karachi the bonded career, Directors of M/s Modern Shipping Agencies Karachi, M/s Sky Shipping Line LLC Dubai, UAE, and four traders of betel nuts from Karachi, including Abdul Mueez Bawani, Azeez Ahmed, Owais Rasheed and Shafiq have been booked in the FIR by Customs officials. M/s Ajmair Impex Lahore imported a consignment, comprising two containers bearing registration numbers BAXU-2588107 and MAEU 7813519 from Dubai on February 14, while transshipment permit TP for Lahore dry port was filed on February 23. The consignment under the garb of galvanised plain sheets was cleared by MCC-Appraisement West for Lahore by the private bonded career company M/s Airotor Transport and Logistics Ltd, Karachi. According to the FIR registered by MCC-Appraisement Dry Port Mughalpura, Lahore, the importer and bonded career with the assistance of other accused smuggled betel nuts under the garb of galvanised plain sheets and removed the betel nuts from containers during transshipment to Lahore and supplied the smuggled betel nuts to Karachi. This is the second FIR against the M/s Ajmair Impex during the last two weeks. Ten days ago the company was booked when a consignment of smuggled betel nuts was intercepted by the MCC-Appraisement East Karachi and 25.250 metric tonnes betel nut smuggled by the Lahore based Company under the garb of galvanised plain sheets were seized. Another Lahore-based importer company namely M/s Ahmed Packages has been booked by Customs officials along with M/s Sky Shipping line and M/s M/s Arose Transport And Logistics, Karachi in a FIR for misdeclaration and smuggling of betel nuts. “This racket has not only caused a big loss to the government’s exchequer but also supplied low-quality and hazardous betel nuts to the local market,” a Customs official, requesting anonymity, said. A report about Karachi-based traders allegedly involved in the smuggling of betel nuts has been sent to Karachi’s officials to launch a crackdown. Published in Daily Times, March 11th 2018.