DRI seizes container of Foreign Origin Cigarettes worth 16 Crores

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Ahmedabad Zonal Unit has seized a container load of foreign cigarettes hidden in a consignment labeled as readymade garments.

80.1 lakh cigarette sticks having an estimated market value of Rs. 16 crores were recovered.

Officers of DRI Ahmedabad apprehended an import container shipped from Cambodia’s Phnom Penh port at Mundra port based on particular intelligence developed. The shipment was labeled “Readymade Garments” and was headed for Hazira Port.

During an extensive inspection of the consignment, officials discovered that the first row of boxes in the container contained declared goods, namely ” Readymade Garments “. However, behind the first row, all of the packages contained Cigarettes “Gold Flake” of foreign origin.

As a result, 80.1 lakh of these sticks were seized and recorded observation by people. The seized cigarettes are estimated to be worth approximately Rs. 16 crores.

It was also discovered that the seized cigarette packets had the “Made in India” label. Officers are in communication with field experts to determine the potential of an attempt to import counterfeit cigarettes or similar items. More research is being conducted.

In a similar operation two months ago, DRI officials seized 36 lakh foreign-origin cigarettes that were attempting to be smuggled at Mundra Port. The seizure shows DRI’s commitment to its anti-smuggling mandate and will deal an important blow to smuggling syndicates.