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BUTT FOR THE SUSPICION
* Importer approaches Customs for fetching imported consignment of disposable plates and glasses in cartons
* The Customs officials become suspicious as consignments declared are available in local markets and cartons differed in weight
* Cartons are opened for examination. Officials find cartons full of imported cigarettes
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VASCO: The Appraising Section of Goa Customs Commissionerate seized 350 cartons of foreign brand cigarettes worth Rs 2.36 crore at Mormugao harbour.
Addressing the media, Commissioner of Customs K Anpazhakan said, on Wednesday during the first check of a container which landed from Dubai to Mormugao Harbour 350 cartons of cigarettes were detected, which were concealed behind 100 cartons of disposable plates and glasses.
Anpazhakan said the consignment was imported by a first-time importer and the total value of the contraband cigarettes is Rs 2.36 crore.
“The case was detected by Shinu V Thomas, appraiser of Customs, under the guidance of Dileep B Naik, assistant commissioner. The case is handed over to the Special Intelligence Investigation Bureau of Customs Commissionerate for further investigation,” he said.
Adding further, K Anpazhakan said the Customs at the port doesn't have a container scanner to detect contraband, and it was only on suspicion that contraband cigarettes were detected.
When asked if he will request for installation of container scanner at the harbour, Anpazhakan said since the port is not handling containers in large numbers, it will be difficult to install one, as the cost is very high.
“MPT port is designated for bulk cargo, and most of the container cargo is handled at Nava Seva port at Mumbai, and if there is more handling of container cargo at MPT port, then it is feasible to install a container scanner,” said Anpazhakan.
He said he would send his report to the higher ups in the department to initiate necessary action.
Anpazhakan said the rate of duty on foreign cigarettes is 150% and to avoid customs duty, they conceal it with other products.
“The goods will be confiscated and since cigarettes come under the preview of consumable goods and once we get necessary certification from the authority concerned, the goods will be disposed off.”
On slow down in gold smuggling, Anpazhakan said gold is smuggled depending on the profit margin they get on each consignment. “Gold prices at international level and in the country are more or less the same, due to which there is decline in smuggling activities,” he added.
