Areca nuts worth Rs 5.7 crore seized by customs officials at Navi Mumbai port

The Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (Import) of Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH) seized the areca nuts in ten containers, which were attempted to be smuggled as bitumen as stated in the import documents.

Custom authorities at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH), Nhava Sheva have seized 112.14 metric tons (MTs) of Areca Nuts worth 5.7cr.

Despite India being the world's largest producer of areca nuts, they are heavily smuggled to feed the illegal tobacco industry. (JNCH, Nhava Sheva)

Customs authorities at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Navi Mumbai has intercepted and seized 112.14 metric tons (MTs) of areca nuts worth Rs 5.7 crore.

The Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (Import) of Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH) seized the areca nuts in ten containers, which were attempted to be smuggled as bitumen as stated in the import documents.

In a bid to protect farmers, the government has imposed a high tariff value and duty structure of 110 per cent of their value. As a result, the importer was attempting to evade import duty of Rs. 6.27 crore by smuggling them in metal drums, which are used for storage of bitumen to prevent detection.

According to officials, the entire planning and execution behind this attempted smuggling points towards a well organised international smuggling syndicate.

Also Read | Mundra: Areca nuts worth Rs 1.5 cr seized

Despite India being the world’s largest producer of areca nuts, they are heavily smuggled to feed the illegal tobacco industry.

Custom Officials at JNCH, earlier this month, had seized nearly 190 MTs of areca nuts valued at Rs 9.63 crore in the market.

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