Mumbai: Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch at Nhava Sheva intercepted and seized 112 metric tons of areca nuts worth Rs 5.7 crore

Mumbai, June 13, 2024

In yet another major crackdown on Areca Nuts smuggling, earlier this week, The officers of Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (Import) [(SIIB) (I)] at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH), Nhava Sheva, have intercepted and seized 112.14 metric tons (MTs) of Areca Nuts in ten containers, which were attempted to be smuggled by misdeclaring them as “BITUMEN ” in the import documents. The seizure value of the Areca Nuts in the present case is around Rs. 5.7 crores and the duty sought to be evaded is approximately Rs. 6.27 crores.

Based on specific intelligence developed by officers of SIIB (Import), JNCH, ten (10) containers were put on hold and detailed examination was conducted. Upon examination, it was found that Areca Nuts were concealed in drums normally used for transportation of bitumen. Areca Nut is correctly classified under CTH 08028090 and attracts high tariff value and duty structure of 110% plus Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST), for protection of Indian farmers of Areca Nuts. In order to evade the same, smugglers resort to various modus operandi to smuggle Areca Nuts into India. Further investigation is currently underway.

In the instant case, a unique modus was adopted wherein Areca Nuts were concealed in bitumen drums which were placed in the inner side of container and on the front side of the container, actual bitumen drums were loaded. Usually, Areca Nuts are imported in bags and Bitumen is imported in metal drums. The concealment of Areca Nuts in metal drums, which are generally used for storage of Bitumen, was done by smugglers to prevent detection of Areca nuts by Indian Customs. The entire planning and execution at the end of the foreign supplier points towards a well organised international smuggling syndicate behind this attempted smuggling. The team of SIIB (Import) worked relentlessly to achieve this success, which underscores their commitment to combatting illegal trade practices and curbing smuggling activities at Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Nhava Sheva.

It is pertinent to mention that India is the largest producer of Areca Nuts in the world and despite that, there is rampant smuggling of Areca Nuts to feed the illegal Gutka industry of the country.

This seizure is on the heels of another seizure of nearly 190 MTs of Areca Nuts ten days ago by SIIB (Import) JNCH, Nhava Sheva.