Ahmedabad: Busting a syndicate involved in the smuggling of assorted lifestyle products of various global brands, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Ahmedabad has seized products having market value of more than Rs. 20 Crores imported at Mundra Port in Gujarat by mis-declaring them as “Bamboo Sticks for making agarbattie”.

The two smugglers, one from Gandhidham and one from Mumbai, were arrested in this case and produced in a court here today which sent them to jail.

A DRI official said that a specific intelligence was received by DRI, Ahmedabad that a Gandhidham based firm in connivance with other members of a smuggling syndicate based at Mumbai and China was indulged in large scale smuggling of assorted lifestyle products at Mundra Port by mis-declaring them as “Bamboo Sticks for making agarbattie”. DRI officers conducted search at the residential premises of the proprietor of the said Gandhidham based firm and also intercepted a 40 feet container imported at Mundra Port.

‘On examination, 474 cartons of assorted branded goods like cosmetics, watches, ladies’ handbags, belts, lingerie set, laptop adaptors etc. of various global brands were found concealed behind the 239 bags of declared item i.e. “Bamboo Sticks for making agarbattie”. It was also gathered that this smuggling syndicate had cleared one more such consignment imported in a 40 feet container in the month of August from Mundra Port and which was stored in a warehouse in Mumbai. DRI Ahmedabad thereafter conducted searches at Mumbai and seized 441 cartons of smuggled products like cosmetics, ladies’ purse, electronic items of various global brands besides 209 bags of bamboo sticks smuggled in the month of August by same modus operandi. Total more than five lakhs assorted items of various global brands have accordingly been seized by DRI, Ahmedabad’, he said.

The role of some customs officers who had examined the container which was imported in the month of August is also under scanner.Further inquiry is in progress.

DeshGujarat