From: Business Standard
In past 18 months, department of revenue intelligence has seized 50 containers of cigarettes, valued at nearly Rs 200 cr
Rajesh Bhayani | Mumbai
The operators, however, want to use the channel set for gold more profitably. And cigarettes, especially with a significant increase in duties, present a lucrative option. Through seizure of imported cigarette consignments sought to be brought into the country clandestinely, without paying duties and other taxes, has increased significantly over the past year, smugglers are bringing products of top global brands more frequently.
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A reliable source in the know of intelligence agencies says: “Department of revenue intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 50 containers of various brands of imported cigarettes like Gudang Garam, Esse, Dunhill, etc, valued at Rs 200 crore in the past 18 months. These seizures have taken place across India. Cigarettes are usually shipped from Dubai.”
