DRI has seized 81.85 MTs of Areca nuts which were being attempted to be smuggled by declaring as PP Granules and PE Agglomeration. The key conspirator has been arrested under the Customs Act.

Specific intelligence received indicated that unscrupulous importers were indulging in illicit smuggling of Areca Nuts by resorting to misdeclaration in the description of goods. Intelligence further indicated that the goods had arrived at Mundra Port in containers from Jebel Ali, Port in UAE and were destined for units in KASEZ, Gandhidham.

Acting on the said intelligence, three imported consignments declared as  ‘P.P. Granules” and “PE Agglomeration” were examined by the officers of DRI, Ahmedabad Zonal Unit. Upon examination, 81.85 MTs of ‘Areca Nuts’ having a tariff value of Rs. 7.1 Crore, found misdeclared in the said containers were seized by DRI.  One person has been arrested and further investigation in under progress.

Import of Areca Nut attracts high tariff value and duty structure as high as 110%, in order to protect domestic industry. In order to avoid the same, unscrupulous importers have taken SEZ route to import Areca Nuts by mis-declaring the same. Domestic Sale of Areca Nuts from SEZs is also not allowed under the Foreign Trade Policy. DRI has unravelled this modus operandi and busted the nexus of the syndicate illicitly smuggling ‘Areca Nuts’ which has increased in recent times.

CB/GP/JD

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