Five arrested in duty-evasion racket amounting to Rs26 crore in Mumbai
Mumbai city news: The five accused were looking to smuggle mobile phones and accessories
The Central Intelligence Unit at Air Cargo Complex (ACC) in Andheri on Monday arrested five people for allegedly evading customs duty payment of Rs26 crore. According to the police, they were looking to smuggle mobile phones and accessories into the country. The five accused include custom brokers and importers.
Custom brokers are agents for an importer or exporter who are paid brokerage for clearing goods through customs. “Gross mis-declaration has been resorted to evade payment of customs duty. The description of the declared goods was vague so as to undervalue the consignment. Most of the goods were branded products,” said Atul Saxena, additional commissioner, ACC. Certain entities registered in Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei are suppliers for most of the consignments of mobile accessories.
Authorities stated that certain branded products were not declared at all. “Around 400 consignments have been cleared in the past and customs duty amounting to Rs 26 crore has been evaded,” said Saxena.
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