DRI busts major cigarette smuggling network at Mundra Port

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered a major cigarette smuggling network at Mundra Port. Eighteen suspicious containers arriving from Gulf countries were detained, out of which foreign cigarettes worth crores of rupees have been seized from three containers so far. The investigation into the remaining containers is still underway.

During this operation, the DRI detained two individuals, one a resident of Ahmedabad and the other from Delhi. Both are currently being interrogated. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the importers provided false details of the goods in the customs documents and bill of entry. Foreign cigarettes were smuggled into India by concealing them amidst other declared items.

Investigators suspect that a large network of importers and Customs House Agents (CHAs) is involved in this scam. Furthermore, there is a possibility of a betel nut smuggling racket alongside the cigarettes. All these containers were to be sent to Tughlakabad in Delhi after arriving at Mundra Port.

The DRI is now investigating whether smuggling has been carried out through other containers using the same method. The total quantity and value of the seized cigarettes are likely to increase once the inspection of the remaining containers is completed. According to a report by DeshGujarat, items such as e-cigarettes imported from China and banned firecrackers have been seized at Mundra Port in the past.