Massive Areca Nut Smuggling Ring Exposed: Key Arrest Made

Officials at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House have arrested Mukesh Bhanushali in connection with the smuggling of 189.6 tonnes of areca nut. This is the second arrest in an ongoing investigation, which also involves another absconding director. The seized goods have an enormous duty liability and were falsely declared to avoid tariffs.

Officials from the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House, Nhava Sheva, have arrested Mukesh Bhanushali, allegedly the beneficial owner behind the smuggling of 189.6 tonnes of areca nut valued at Rs 9.65 crore. This marks the second significant arrest in this high-profile case.

The seizure revealed a duty liability on the goods amounting to Rs 11.63 crore. Bhanushali, apprehended in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, following a series of summons and searches, is connected to an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holding company, as confirmed by an official.

Further probes are underway at multiple ports, including Mundra. Authorities noted that the other director involved remains at large. Areca nut, bearing a high tariff value and a duty structure of 110 per cent plus IGST, sees rampant smuggling to support the illegal gutka industry in India, despite the country being the largest producer of the nut.

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