Former Customs Collector named prime suspect in Rs 320 million silver swap scandal.
The Federal Investigation Agency has submitted a formal report on a case involving the replacement of silver worth Rs 320 million with lead, naming a former Customs Collector as the prime suspect in the scandal.
According to the report, the ringleader, identified as Karam Ilahi, allegedly received a bribe of Rs 55 million to facilitate the fraud. Of the twelve suspects named in the case, five remain at large. Investigators say the crime came to light through WhatsApp chats, call data records and bank statements.
The FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle in Quetta has filed a challan in the Special Court, detailing how 400 kilograms of silver, valued at Rs 320 million, was swapped for lead during transit to the Pakistan Mint. Names of the involved customs officials and other suspects have been forwarded for trial, while five individuals have been declared fugitives.
The challan states that the substitution took place while the seized silver was being transferred for deposit at the Mint. CCTV footage, forensic analysis, call records, bank account details and WhatsApp communications formed the core evidence used to build the case.
Karam Ilahi, the former Customs Collector, has been identified as the principal accused. Other named suspects include Arif Ali Jamani, Inayat, Muhammad Hassan, Abdul Nasir, Lala Jan and Sameer.
Per FIA findings, Ilahi received approximately Rs 55 million in bribes through a customs clearance agent named Qaiser Marwat. Investigators traced the payments through multiple bank accounts, front companies and hawala or hundi transactions used to move the funds.
The FIA report identifies Muhammad Ismail, Masood Khan, Banni, Muhammad Zaman Mazari, Yasir Arafat and Qaisar Khan as fugitives, tracked down through CCTV footage during the investigation.
The agency alleges that Ilahi used his official authority to secure specific postings that enabled the fraud. The investigation was led by Deputy Director Israr Naeem of the Sindh leadership team, supported by investigating officer Israfil Raza. The FIA says efforts to identify and prosecute the remaining suspects are ongoing.
