Report by Imran Khan
KARACHI — The smuggling of toxic and illegal betel nut (chhalia) has once again surged across Karachi, with alarming revelations of a vast criminal network allegedly operating under the protection of customs and police officials. Sources confirm that notorious smuggler Imran Noorani, after months of silence, has reactivated his syndicate, now running a multimillion-rupee operation through covert coordination with officials from Customs ASO, the Deputy Collector’s Office, and local law enforcement.
Factories in Hub Churning Out Hazardous Sweet Supari
Investigations reveal that multiple factories operating on the outskirts of Hub are manufacturing thousands of boxes daily of branded sweet supari — including Tara, Tasty, Bombay, Ratna, and 7-Up — using smuggled and health-hazardous betel nut. Despite the known toxicity of the raw material, these operations continue unchecked. The products are silently funneled into Karachi, bypassing regulatory checks.
Secret Supply Chain via University Checkpost
According to reliable sources, the processed supari is discreetly transported from Hub through a hidden route near the Hamdard University checkpoint. The consignments are carried via dumper trucks associated with infamous smuggler Baraat Z to warehouses near the Mauripur truck terminal. From there, the goods are systematically distributed to five major betel nut dealers across Karachi.
Alleged Institutional Collusion
The illicit network reportedly enjoys protection from officers in Customs Enforcement, District West Police, and Customs Appraisement (East, West, and SAPT Collectorates). One Preventive Officer, Imran Maqsood, allegedly collects “customs share” from supari suppliers, clearance agents, and factory owners — a sum said to be distributed among various departments. Insiders claim the Deputy Collector (Enforcement) provides top-cover protection, while police officers ensure that the warehouses remain off-limits to outsiders under the guise of “official security.”
Imran Noorani’s Return to the Helm
At the center of this network is Imran Noorani, the brother of prominent factory owner Nauman Memon. Noorani, previously implicated in a high-profile FIA smuggling case, is now actively facilitating clearance operations for factory owners and handling bribes to ensure smooth logistics. Law enforcement sources acknowledge that following a temporary disruption due to past crackdowns, Noorani’s network is now back in full force.
Public Health and Economic Fallout
Medical professionals warn that this toxic betel nut is a significant public health hazard, linked to oral cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. The unchecked smuggling not only endangers lives but also drains the national exchequer. Legal importers and local industries continue to suffer as the black market flourishes without accountability.
Calls for Action Amid Institutional Silence
The blatant operations of this network, despite the presence of FIA, Customs, and Police, have sparked concern among citizens and health experts. Civil society groups have demanded immediate and decisive action against the smuggling ring, but authorities have yet to initiate any meaningful crackdown — a silence that raises troubling questions about complicity and corruption within the system.
