DRI has seized 75.09 MTS of Areca nuts having a tariff value of Rs. 6.53 Crore, which were being attempted to be smuggled by declaring as ‘Grinding Wheels’. In the investigations undertaken pursuant to the seizure, the key conspirator is identified and has been arrested under the Customs Act.

 

2.            Specific intelligence received indicated that consignment of ‘Areca Nuts’ which would be attempted to be illicitly imported by unscrupulous importers by resorting to misdeclaration in the description of goods. Intelligence further indicated that the goods had arrived at Chennai Port from Jebel Ali, Port in UAE and would be transshipped to ICD Whitefield at Bengaluru.

 

3.            Acting on the said intelligence, the three containers were examined by the officers of DRI Ahmedabad Zonal Unit at Chennai port and at Bengaluru. Upon examination, the 75.09 MTS of ‘Areca Nuts’ having a tariff value of Rs. 6.53 Crore, found mis-declared in the said containers were seized by DRI.  One person, the mastermind in the illegal act of smuggling by using the Import Export Code (IEC) of other persons, identified through extensive inquiry/ investigation and has been arrested, the further investigation in the case is under progress.

 

4.            Import of Areca Nut attracts high tariff value and duty structure of 110%, for protection of domestic industry. In order to avoid the same, unscrupulous importers have resorted to mis-declaration in imports of Areca Nuts. DRI has unravelled this modus operandi and busted the nexus of the syndicate illicitly smuggling ‘Areca Nuts’ using the credentials of unsuspecting Import Export Code (IEC) holders, which has increased in recent times.

 

CB/GP/JD

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