FBR exposes major cargo fraud at Karachi Airport
Pakistan’s Federal
Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a Rs2.7 billion fine on ground-handling
company Gerry’s Dnata following the
exposure of a major cargo fraud at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport,
officials confirmed Thursday.
The investigation revealed that the company was allegedly involved in illegally clearing high-value electronics, including iPhones, laptops, MacBooks, and iPads, without paying the required customs duties. Authorities said the scheme involved the use of fake gate passes, concealed airway bills, and deletion of official records.
Read More FBR
Freezes PIA bank accounts over unpaid FED
In addition to the fine, the FBR has ordered the
recovery of Rs221 million in unpaid duties and taxes from shipments that were
transported out of the airport without proper declarations.
Eight individuals, including five Gerry’s Dnata
employees, have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators said
one female employee admitted to issuing fake gate passes under supervisors’
instructions, while a detained cargo agent revealed the existence of a
well-organized smuggling network that had been active for several years.
The FBR also confirmed that several officers and officials are under investigation for serious violations of customs regulations. The Federal Tax Ombudsman independently verified the large-scale fraud linked to the scandal.
Read More Goods
worth over Rs23m disappear from Karachi Airport
This case has been described by officials as one of the most significant smuggling operations uncovered at Pakistan’s busiest airport.
Source: 24 News