The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Mumbai intercepted 14 containers destined for ICD Talegaon at Jawaharlal Nehru Port on August 31, on the suspicion that they may contain areca nuts. The containers were stopped before they could be transhipped to the dry port in the hinterland, as it was suspected that the cargo could be pilfered or replaced en route.
The DRI intercepted the containers based on intelligence inputs. According to the import manifest details and the declaration made in the bill of lading, the containers were to be carrying calcium nitrate. An examination revealed that all 14 containers had areca nuts, which were being smuggled into India, the DRI added.
The government has put a tariff value of $10,379 per metric tonne on areca nuts brought into India from outside. This consignment of 3,71,090 kg (371 MT) of areca nuts was valued at an estimated Rs 32.31 crore and was seized, the DRI said.
Areca nuts in split form attract the effective customs duty rate of 110 percent of the value. The attempted duty evasion in this case by way of misdeclaration is an estimated Rs 36 crore and is likely one of the largest seizures of smuggled areca nuts, the DRI said.
The case is being further investigated.
