Navi Mumbai bizman smuggles 520kg silver from China, held

On May 4, DRI officials raided different container terminals at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai, based on a tip off. They found 17 cartons that had not been declared in the importer’s invoices.

Directorate Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers on Thursday arrested a businessman from Navi Mumbai who allegedly smuggled 520 kilograms of silver ornaments, concealed between consumer items, from China. The arrested accused has been identified as Gaurav Kushwaha.

Directorate Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers on Thursday arrested a businessman from Navi Mumbai who allegedly smuggled 520 kilograms of silver ornaments, concealed between consumer items, from China.

On May 4, DRI officials raided different container terminals at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai, based on a tip off. They found 17 cartons that had not been declared in the importer’s invoices.

On inspecting these boxes, officers found 520 kg of silver rings and bangles that had been concealed under items such as hair accessories, imitation jewellery, bags, footwear, hardware items and LED lights.

The consumer items were imported by Myras World Firm, operated by Gaurav. The accused’s wife, Archana Kushwaha, is the proprietor of the firm.

On Thursday, DRI officers raided Gaurav’s Navi Mumbai residence and recovered ₹4.5 lakh. He was subsequently arrested.

Advocate Ravi Hirani, representing Gaurav, said, “My client is innocent. He imports imitation jewellery and had no knowledge about the silver ornaments kept in the containers. The officers have over valued the goods in this case.”

In 2016, Gaurav had been booked by the DRI in another smuggling case, involving his firm Shivam Marketing.