DRI busts gang involved in illegal Smuggling of Areca Nuts; Arrests five persons

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has been busted a unique method wherein Areca nuts were smuggled by replacing the undeclared areca nuts stuffed in the containers by the declared cover cargo during container movement from the port to the container freight station (CFS).

In this massive raid on a smuggling racket, DRI has arrested five people and recovered more than 50 metric tons of Areca nuts that were illegally brought in into India.

There were two separate cases, in which the DRI sleuths intercepted containers coming from Dubai, UAE, to find more than 50 metric tons of Areca nuts.

In the first case, DRI seized a 40-foot container transported from Dubai, UAE, where the import cargo was declared as “Quick Lime Lumps” based on particular intelligence. A thorough investigation of the container revealed 25.9 MT (approx.) of split Areca nuts. The Areca nuts, weighing 25.9 MT and valued at about Rs. 2.23 Cr, were confiscated in accordance with the requirements of the Customs Act of 1962.

In the second case, DRI captured a 40-foot container shipping from Dubai, UAE, with the import goods listed as “Gypsum Powder.” A thorough check revealed that the whole cargo had been mis-declared, and the items discovered inside were Areca nuts in complete form, packed in jute gunny bags. A total of 25.8 metric tonnes (approx.) of Areca nuts collected during the inspection, valued at Rs. 2.2 crores (approx. ), was confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962.

Based on the investigation, two people were arrested, including the IEC holder in the first case. However, additional inquiry found that similar smuggling had occurred through other shipments.

Interrogation of arrested individuals and a thorough investigation revealed that areca nuts in two additional containers were smuggled in a similar manner through misdeclaration and replacement of the smuggled areca nuts stuffed in the container by the cover cargo (Quick Lime Lumps) during the container movement from the port to the CFS (Container Freight Station).

Acting on the information acquired, three additional people were detained, and when questioned, they revealed the whole method of smuggling areca nuts.

In this major crackdown on the smuggling racket, DRI has arrested a total of five persons and seized more than 50 MTS of Areca nuts. A thorough investigation and success of DRI in busting the smuggling racket and nabbing the masterminds in the above case indicates the strong commitment of the officers of DRI on a regular basis towards the ongoing battle against smuggling.