Top customs official probed in smuggling of red sanders

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is investigating an assistant commissioner of Customs for his alleged role in a smuggling attempt of red sanders recently from Nhava Sheva port.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is investigating an assistant commissioner of Customs for his alleged role in a smuggling attempt of red sanders recently from Nhava Sheva port.

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The DRI has interrogated and recorded the statement of the Customs official. He is posted with the Marine and Preventive wing of the Customs department. Sources said DRI officials also visited the office of the assistant commissioner of Customs recently in south Mumbai.

Though the Customs official has not been arrested, a report on his alleged role has been sent to the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in New Delhi for departmental action to be initiated against him.

Sources said there was an attempt to smuggle out the consignment of red sanders from Nhava Sheva port recently in which the Customs official allegedly helped the group involved in the attempt.

Sources said during questioning of the accused involved in the smuggling attempt, the name of the assistant commissioner of Customs cropped up following which an inquiry was initiated.

Sources said the officer was not arrested, as it would not have served any purpose because the Customs Act being a bailable offence, he would have got bail immediately. “The DRI also books cases of smuggling under Customs Act which is bailable,” said a Customs official. He said that an officer can be suspended if he remains in custody for 48 hours. “Here, arresting would not have led to his suspension because there was no question of his custody,” the official said.