In yet another operation against smugglers of Areca Nuts, DRI has seized 83.352 MT of Areca nuts valued at Rs. 5.71 Crore, which were being attempted to be smuggled by declaring as Base oil in related import documents.

 

2.         Specific intelligence was developed by the officers of DRI that a consignment which had arrived in Mundra Port from UAE would contain mis-declared cargo.  .

 

3.         Acting on the said intelligence, the containers were examined by the officers of DRI Ahmedabad Zonal Unit .During the course of examination of the containers it was found that there were in all 738 drums of which 658 drums contained areca nuts in split form, while 80 drums contained Oily liquid purportedly ‘Base Oil’ used for concealment of the drums containing Areca nuts in each container. The total quantity of the ‘Areca Nuts in split form’ is found to be 83.352 MT and value is ascertained as Rs. 5.71 Crores. Also 14.383 MT of oily liquid (Base Oil) used for concealment having value Rs. 6.17 Lakhs was found instead of the declared goods Base oil.  The said Areca Nuts quantity 83.352 MT valued at Rs. 5.71 Crores and the cover cargo of " 14.383 MT of oily liquid (Base Oil)” valued at Rs. 6.17 Lakhs were accordingly seized under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962.

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 been in the forefront, busting such illicit smuggling of ‘Areca Nuts’. The present modus adopted is a novel one wherein the Split Areca Nuts were filled in drums and concealed in the consignment declared as ‘Base Oil’ to avoid any detection by customs authorities. Further, the importer is also found to be non-existent at the premises declared in the IEC.

5.         Further investigation in the matter is underway.

AP/GP/JD

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