DRI arrests nine persons with smuggled foreign-made cigarettes off Salaya harbour

Value of seized contraband estimated to be Rs 4.8 million

Nine persons have been arrested by the Ahmedabad unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and two satellite phones have been recovered from their possession while attempting to smuggle foreign-made cigarettes into the country from Salaya harbour in Jamnagar district, official sources said on Friday.

The total market value of the seized contraband is estimated to be Rs  48 lakh, sources said, adding that two Thuraya sets (satellite phones) were also recovered from the arrested onboard crew members.

"On specific intelligence generated by Ahmedabad DRI, it came to light that certain unscrupulous person were attempting to smuggle at least 50 master boxes of foreign-made cigarettes through country craft Safina-Al-Meraj (BDI-1331). The country craft along with the contraband had set off from Sharjah," sources said.

The entire operation was undertaken in coordination with Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officials

Acting on this input, ICG officials mounted surveillance in the high-seas off Okha coast through ICG boat 'Sangram' and intercepted the suspected dhow, which was then escorted to Salaya harbour in Jamnagar for detailed rummaging by the DRI officials.

On inspection, DRI sleuths recovered total 52 master boxes of foreign made cigarettes and arrested nine Indian nationals in this connection.

The 52 master boxes contained 50 master boxes of gudang garam brand foreign-made cigarettes and two master boxes of davidoff gold brand foreign-made cigarettes. A haul of 739,560 sticks of foreign-made cigarettes with total market value as Rs  48 lakh was not declared in import manifest.

Two satellite phones recovered from the crew members onboard the said dhow were handed over to Customs officials for further investigation. The value of the country craft Safina-Al-Meraj is estimated to be around Rs  25 lakh.

All nine persons onboard Safina-Al-Meraj have been detained for further questioning. Primary probe has revealed that the master mind behind the smuggling of foreign-origin cigarettes was Mustaq Talab Bhagad, who has been arrested under the Customs Act. Further investigations are on.