Vizag: Customs bust smuggling ring, seize areca nuts worth Rs 5.5 Cr

Visakhapatnam, March 20: Customs department seized two containers loaded with areca nuts, which were illegally being imported into the country to evade the duty.

Officials said the consignment of 56 MTs of areca nuts in two containers was declared as dried dates originating from UAE and attempted to be cleared through Visakhapatnam Port.

On a thorough examination of the containers, it was found that the gunny bags stacked in the front three rows were declared cargo of dried dates while the remaining gunny bags at the back of the container contained areca nuts.

Out of the 56 MTs declared by the importer, only 11.5 MTs were found to be dried dates. The remaining 46 MTs turned out to be areca nuts. The entire quantity of areca nuts valued at about Rs5.5 crore along with the cover cargo of dried dates valuing Rs3.5 lakh have been seized under the Customs Act, 1962 for violating the provisions of the Customs Act.

Areca nuts attract a high Custom duty of 110 percent. Officials said the attempt was made to evade appropriate customs duty areca nuts by concealment in a declared consignment of dried dates.

Busting areca nuts smuggling has not only saved revenue for the public exchequer, but also safeguarded the interest of domestic industry, especially of those farmers, cultivators, and traders whose livelihoods are entirely dependent on this trade.

Further, areca nuts, commonly referred to as betel nuts, are known to be smuggled for use in the clandestine manufacture of Gutka which has many harmful effects on health and is carcinogenic to humans.

Preliminary investigation has led to the arrest of the importer aged 53 years who is also a resident of Visakhapatnam. He has been remanded to judicial custody.