Guwahati: A container of cigarettes from foreign brands with an estimated value of Rs 17 crores was seized from Mundra Port by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
According to specific intelligence gathered by DRI Ahmedabad agents, a smuggling syndicate is attempting to smuggle Foreign Brand Cigarettes into India through Mundra Seaport, according to a top DRI.
On the basis of the information, the container was located and traced. On October 11, 850 cartons of foreign brand cigarettes under the “Manchester” brand were found after the shipment underwent inspection.
About 10,000 cigarettes were placed into each carton.
As a result, 85, 50,000 foreign-branded cigarette sticks of Rs 17 crores were found and seized in accordance with the Customs Act.
Further investigation is under progress.
This is DRI Ahmedabad’s fourth significant seizure of cigarettes or electronic cigarettes this fiscal year. Over Rs 100 crores worth of goods have been seized in total.
Foreign brand cigarettes worth Rs 17 crores were confiscated in April 2022.
Two seizures of electronic cigarettes totaling 68 crores were made in the month of September 2022.
These seizures are a result of DRI efforts to stop the importation of cigarettes illegally.