Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Customs seized 4,600 used laptops and 1,546 used CPUs worth Rs 4.11 crore in Mumbai's Nhava Sheva area.
The seized laptops and CPUs were imported from the UAE and the supplier is based in Hong Kong.
"Based on specific intelligence developed by Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB) (Import) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH), Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, one of the largest seizure of 4600 old/used refurbished laptops has been made in the border. According to the press release of Shulk Nhava Sheva, various brands (Dell, HP, Lenovo and others) and 1546 old/used CPUs, imported from UAE and the supplier is based in Hong Kong.
Upon deeper investigation, it was found that the CPU was used to hide an old and in good condition used refurbished branded laptop. He said in the release that as per the policy of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), import of such goods without proper authorization is prohibited.Customs Nhava Sheva said in the release that in a unique modus operandi, importers were attempting to smuggle old and used laptops by misrepresenting them as motherboard casings etc. through ICD Patparganj, Delhi.
Following the seizure, SIIB (Import) conducted multiple searches simultaneously in Mumbai and Delhi, resulting in the arrest of the mastermind co-owner of the importing firm. The action is part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling activities.
He said that apart from the seizure of smuggled goods, Rs 27.37 lakh in cash (sale proceeds of smuggled goods) was also recovered and confiscated from the premises of the importer.
Further investigation revealed two identical shipments at Delhi Air Cargo Customs.SIIB, JNCH officials shared this intelligence with their Delhi counterparts resulting in seizure of around 2100 old and used laptops in Delhi Air Cargo.
He said in the release, “This remarkable seizure by SIIB, JNCH and subsequent arrests of the masterminds is a testament to their unwavering commitment to combat illicit smuggling of restricted/prohibited goods and maintain import regulations for the integrity of the country's trade ecosystem ."
The seized laptops and CPUs were imported from the UAE and the supplier is based in Hong Kong.
"Based on specific intelligence developed by Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB) (Import) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH), Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, one of the largest seizure of 4600 old/used refurbished laptops has been made in the border. According to the press release of Shulk Nhava Sheva, various brands (Dell, HP, Lenovo and others) and 1546 old/used CPUs, imported from UAE and the supplier is based in Hong Kong.
Upon deeper investigation, it was found that the CPU was used to hide an old and in good condition used refurbished branded laptop. He said in the release that as per the policy of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), import of such goods without proper authorization is prohibited.Customs Nhava Sheva said in the release that in a unique modus operandi, importers were attempting to smuggle old and used laptops by misrepresenting them as motherboard casings etc. through ICD Patparganj, Delhi.
Following the seizure, SIIB (Import) conducted multiple searches simultaneously in Mumbai and Delhi, resulting in the arrest of the mastermind co-owner of the importing firm. The action is part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling activities.
He said that apart from the seizure of smuggled goods, Rs 27.37 lakh in cash (sale proceeds of smuggled goods) was also recovered and confiscated from the premises of the importer.
Further investigation revealed two identical shipments at Delhi Air Cargo Customs.SIIB, JNCH officials shared this intelligence with their Delhi counterparts resulting in seizure of around 2100 old and used laptops in Delhi Air Cargo.
He said in the release, “This remarkable seizure by SIIB, JNCH and subsequent arrests of the masterminds is a testament to their unwavering commitment to combat illicit smuggling of restricted/prohibited goods and maintain import regulations for the integrity of the country's trade ecosystem ."
