(1.) THIS is an appeal against Order -in -Original No. 11/99 -CAU, dated 8 -3 -1999 passed by Commissioner of Customs confiscating poppy seeds imported from Pakistan and allowing by redemption fine of Rs. 11,00,000/ - plus penalty of Rs. 1,00,000/ - under Section 112A of the Customs Act, 1962,
(2.) HEARD Shri Murugappan, ld. Advocate for appellants who submits as follows : -
(3.) HEARD Shri S. Kannan, ld. JDR who submits that as per the communication received by Government from the International Narcotic Control Bureau as mentioned in the Order -in -Original impugned, there is no licit cultivation of Opium from which Poppy seeds are derived in Pakistan. Therefore, any consignment of Poppy seeds certified as originating from Pakistan would ipso facto deemed to be not original. He further submits that the certificates produced by the importers are, therefore, of suspected veracity. However, it has not been able to get their accuracy verified. He also submitted that in some packs there was markings to show that the goods were of Turkish origin. He therefore submits that there is no infirmity in the Order -in -Original and the same should be upheld.