Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has uncovered one of the largest operations in its history, exposing an alleged smuggling network involved in the illegal clearance of expensive electronic goods at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.
According to official documents, the ground-handling company Gerry's Dnata was found allegedly involved in an illegal cargo clearance scandal at the airport. Authorities imposed a fine of Rs2.7 billion on the company following the investigation.
The inquiry revealed that iPhones, laptops, MacBooks and iPads were cleared illegally through the use of fake gate passes at Karachi’s international airport.
The FBR report mentioned that investigators uncovered allegations of removing high-value electronic goods without payment of customs duty, concealing airway bills, issuing fraudulent gate passes and deleting official records.
The documents further stated that the FBR had also ordered the recovery of Rs221 million in duties and taxes after finding that goods had been transported out of the airport without goods declarations or tax payments.
FBR officials said serious violations of customs laws had been identified, and several officers and officials were also under investigation in connection with the case.
Customs authorities confirmed the arrest of eight suspects, including five employees of Gerry’s Dnata. Investigators said one female employee admitted issuing fake gate passes on the instructions of supervisors.
A detained cargo agent also disclosed the existence of an organised smuggling network that had been operating for several years.
Officials added that the Federal Tax Ombudsman had independently confirmed large-scale cargo fraud linked to the case.
Reporter: Ashraf Khan