Padmesh Prabhune
In a significant operation at Mundra Port, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confiscated around 200 containers of watermelon seeds, valued at about ₹100 crore. Authorities suspect about 17 importers being involved in the cargo, which was brought from Sudan.
Acting on specific intelligence the DRI’s Gandhidham Regional Unit have seized all of the crates and further investigation is underway.
According to DRI, these importers attempted to evade rules established by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in accordance with Notification No. 05/2023, which was published on April 5, 2024. Watermelon seeds could be freely imported between May 1 and June 30, 2024, according to the notification. Free imports were permitted for shipments billed up until June 30; imports beyond that date were prohibited.
The smuggling operation was exposed when the DRI discovered discrepancies between the actual records and the stated shipment papers.
DRI officials found that importers tried to take advantage of the said regulation by submitting fictitious bills of lading to Customs. The forged documentation made it appear as though the cargo had left before the June 30 deadline. The original bills of lading, which the authorities were able to locate and retrieve during their search operation, showed that the real shipment dates were after June 30, 2024, in a clear violation of the DGFT laws.
The seized goods were valued at ₹100 crore, while the total estimated worth of the smuggling operation, including customs, was around ₹39.65 crore. Investigations are still underway, and all of the crates containing illegally imported watermelon seeds have been seized.
Marex Media