DRI seizes foreign cigarettes worth ₹1.07cr, ₹2.31-cr cash
Mumbai:cracking the whip on the illegal sale of branded foreign cigarettes in Mumbai, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided six godowns at Musafirkhana and seized cigarettes worth ₹1.07 crore on Monday.
This was followed by raids on the houses of godown owners Sudhir Valiyavteil and Kunzhimon Ariyil.
“During the raids, which were carried out simultaneously, we recovered ₹1.91 core from Valiyavteil’s house and ₹40 lakh from Ariyil’s residence. Both were arrested and produced in a local court. They were remanded in judicial custody for the next 14 days. Investigation also revealed that Valiyavteil and Ariyil are part of a Delhi-based cartel,” said a DRI officer.
Other officers said the seizure will dent the sale of smuggled cigarettes, which are easily available at paan shops across Mumbai.
“These cigarettes, having a length of 75 mm and above, are popular among youngsters and are openly sold near colleges,” the officer added.
Explaining how the cigarettes are smuggled and distributed all over India, an officer said carriers are sent to Middle Eastern countries — mostly Dubai — to purchase branded cigarettes and are brought to Delhi via air or sea route.
From their Delhi hub, the kingpins send it to the main distribution centre in Mumbai, which was operated by the arrested duo. After taking orders, Valiyavteil and Ariyil would despatch consignments through air and rail route across India.
Both were booked under relevant sections of the Customs Act and Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. “A probe revealed the duo has been in the business for the past 20 years. Owing to their high demand, foreign cigarettes are sold for a premium at tourist places. Paan shop owners must realise that they are committing an offence by selling cigarettes that were brought in without paying duty,” the officer said.
HIGH PROFIT MARGINS
A senior DRI officer said the arrested accused would earn ₹50 behind every carton of cigarettes, which comprised 10 packets. “A single carton was sold for ₹1,550 to the retailers, who would double the price before selling it to paan shop owners. Eventually, a single packet was sold for ₹300,” he added.