On the basis of intelligence, 14 containers (40 feet) destined for ICD, Talegaon were intercepted by DRI Mumbai at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port on the 31st of August, on the suspicion that they may be containing arecanuts . The containers were stopped at the JNPT Port before they could be transhipped to the said dry port in the hinterland, as it was suspected that the cargo could be pilfered or replaced en-route.

As per the Import Manifest details and the declaration made in the Bill of Lading the containers were to be carrying 'Calcium Nitrate'. However, examination revealed that it was a case of brazen misdeclaration and all the 14 containers had areca nuts which were being smuggled into India under the guise of Calcium Nitrate.

The Government has put a tariff value of 10379/- USD per metric ton on arecanuts brought into the country from outside.

Hence, the entire consignment of 371090 kg (371MT) of areca nuts,valued at Rs 32.31 Crores (approx.),has been seized.

The areca nuts in split form attract the effective Customs Duty rate of 110% of the value. Hence,the attempted duty evasion in this case by way of misdeclaration is approx Rs.36 Crores. This is one of the biggest seizures of smuggled areca nuts in the country.

 Further investigation in the case is under progress.

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N.Joshi/P.Kor

 

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