| Date: |
30-11-2015 |
| Subject: |
DRI Ahmedabad unearths illegal clove oil import racket |
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AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad zonal unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence unearthed a multi-crore racket of illegal imports of Clove oil by mis-declaring it as Eugenol. DRI sleuths have found that two importers based out of Noida and Ghaziabad in UP had imported Clove Oil worth Rs 1.85 crore by claiming it as Eugenol and evaded customs duty worth Rs 1.8 crore.
"Through intelligence gathered by us, we found that some of the importers were importing Clove Oil by mis-declaring the same as Eugenol. Based on the inputs, searches were conducted at the premises of Noida-based United Multichem Pvt Ltd (UMPL) and Ghaziabad based Panch Mohan Chemicals Pvt Ltd (PMCPL) last week," said a DRI official.
During the search, officials detained available stock of Clove Oil weighing 17,775 kg valued at Rs 1.85 crore. Also customs duty evasion of Rs 1.80 crore by both the importers was detected. "Some incriminating documents were recovered from their premises indicating that they were carrying the said practice of mis-declaration of imported goods knowingly, with an intent to evade customs duty," added DRI official.
Following the search United Multichem Pvt Ltd paid Rs 79 lakh upfront towards detected duty evasion. Further, another import consignment of UMPL, for import of Eugenol valuing Rs 1.54 crore was detained at Internal Container Depot (ICD) in Tughlaqabad in Delhi.
Further inquiry in the matter is under progress. According to sources the consignment was imported through various ports and later transported to godown of the companies.
According to sources, the import duty on Clover Oil is 36% and on Eugenol is 26%. The 10% difference makes it lucrative to import Clove Oil by declaring Eugenol.
Earlier in July, in a joint operation, the Ahmedabad and Surat units of DRI had detected Rs 3.5 crore customs duty evasion by a Vapi based Yasho Industries Pvt Ltd on import of Clove oil by mis-declaring the same as Eugenol and also diverting the clove oil imported duty free under Advance Authorization.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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