The Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch seized more than 63 lakh sticks of foreign brand cigarettes with an estimated value of Rs 6.5 crore
Riau Customs foils massive cigarette smuggling operation
Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) – The Riau Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise has seized approximately two million illegally smuggled cigarettes in Rokan Hilir district.
Anton Mawardi, head of the compliance guidance and public relations section of Riau Customs, said that the operation took place on July 17, 2024. The operation was initiated based on information received from the public regarding the transportation of illegal cigarettes via the Trans-Sumatra Highway in Rokan Hilir district.
During the operation, officials stopped a vehicle, which, upon inspection, was found to be carrying approximately 2 million illegal “Camclar” cigarettes that did not bear any excise stamps. The loss to the state from the illegal smuggling operation was pegged at about Rp1.8 billion. “These illegal cigarettes were intended for widespread distribution in Riau and West Sumatra province,” Mawardi said in Pekanbaru on Friday.
He added that this year, Riau Customs has conducted multiple operations targeting the entry of illegal excise goods in several regions, including Indragiri Hilir, Pekanbaru, Sungai Pakning, Kampar, and Rokan Hilir. Prior to the Rokan Hilir operation, Riau Customs seized illegal liquor and “VR7” cigarettes concealed in a false compartment in the Sungai Pakning area on July 3.
https://en.antaranews.com/amp/news/320035/riau-customs-foils-massive-cigarette-smuggling-operation
RPF seizes illegal liquor in Asansol division
Operation Satark is a proactive initiative by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) aimed at enhancing security and vigilance across the Indian Railways’ network. Launched to curb criminal activities such as theft, smuggling and unauthorized travel, the operation focuses on intensive patrolling, surprise checks, and coordinated raids on trains and railway premises. By leveraging advanced technology and intelligence gathering, Operation Satark seeks to ensure passenger safety and protect railway property.
On 22 July, a dedicated team from RPF/CIB/Asansol, led by SI Rajeshwar Mandal, ASI Nantu Chakraborty and CT Dinker Tiwari, conducted a successful raid against undesirable activities on 12369 (Kumbh Exp). The team found two persons, Sanjeev Kumar and Krishna Kumar, suspiciously placing backpacks and trolley bags under the berths of Coach B-3. Upon inspection, the bags were found to contain a significant quantity of foreign liquor bottles.
https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/rpf-seizes-illegal-liquor-in-asansol-division-1503324678.html
Thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes seized
Thousands of illicit cigarettes, vapes and tobacco products have been seized from shops across Wolverhampton.
Following a string of complaints, officers said they found 2,280 illicit cigarettes hidden under a floor in one of the raided stores.
They also uncovered 8.1kg (17.9lbs) of banned oral tobacco and snus – a tobacco product in a sachet and an estimated 550 illicit vapes. The city council said an investigation to find the suppliers was underway.
The retail value of the vapes seized was estimated to £8,260, the cigarettes about £1,745 and the duty not paid on the cigarettes and oral tobacco would come to more than £2,900, the City of Wolverhampton Council said. Action was set to be taken against the owners of premises where the material was seized, they added.
Customs officers seize HK$140 million of black market cigarettes after sea chase
Hong Kong customs has notched up its biggest seizure of black market cigarettes this year after officials impounded HK$140 million (US$17.9 million) worth of contraband tobacco after a sea chase by two high-speed pursuit boats.
The Customs and Excise Department on Thursday said seven crew members of a cargo vessel, including the captain, were arrested in the biggest seizure of cigarettes so far this year.
Senior Inspector Adam Lam Wai-kit of the customs revenue crimes investigation bureau said 30.4 million cigarettes, hidden in three shipping containers, were discovered after the ship was intercepted off Lamma Island in the early hours of Wednesday.
Lam said one of the containers was packed with boxes of untaxed tobacco products with the packets labelled with the Hong Kong health warning.
The type of contraband cigarettes is known as “cheap white”.
“Criminals might try to pass off such ‘cheap white’ cigarettes bearing Hong Kong’s statutory health warnings as legally taxed cigarettes,” Lam said.
“They could be offering these untaxed cigarettes to retailers like news-stands and groceries, enticing them with substantial profits to distribute these illicit tobacco products on the market.”
Civil Supplies-CID seizes 34.7 tonnes of smuggled rice, arrests 4 persons
The Civil Supplies-CID has seized 34.7 tonnes of subsidised rice meant for the Public Distribution System (PDS) and arrested four people for trying to smuggle it to Karnataka. The seizure was made on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway near the Thiruvalam EB Junction in Vellore district.
The PDS rice was smuggled in a lorry. An SUV that was accompanying the vehicle was also seized. The police identified the suspects as ‘Gingee’ Shanmugam 52, Mohan, 45, the car driver, and Shankar, 45, and Harikrishnan, 46, the owner and cleaner of the lorry respectively.
The investigation revealed that the suspects collected the rice from people in Madurantakam, Cheyyur, and the suburban areas of Chennai. They hoarded it in an abandoned rice mill owned by Babu alias Rajamanickam near Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district, and tried to smuggle it to Bangarupet in Karnataka, the Civil Supplies-CID said.
‘Gingee’ Shanmugam, the mastermind of the operation, has a previous criminal case for rice smuggling against him. The Civil Supplies-CID registered a case under the Essential Commodities Act. Investigations are under way to arrest other individuals involved in the smuggling operation.
108 kg gold bar route: Smuggled from 7 nations to Tibet, then India
Expanding its probe into the seizure of 108 kilogrammes of gold bars from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the India-China border, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) found that gold bars were smuggled from seven countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, and were brought to Tibet, from where they were meant to be smuggled into India.
Sabah Customs seize contraband cigarettes worth RM8 million
Customs officials in Sabah seized various brands of contraband cigarettes worth over RM8 million, in a raid at Lorong Sedco 9, Batu 3, Sandakan last week.
Sabah Zone Customs assistant director-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Deraman, said acting on intelligence , the raid was conducted at 4.55 pm on July 10 by a team from the Customs Enforcement Division in Kota Kinabalu at an unnumbered storage facility. “During the raid, various brands of suspected untaxed cigarettes were found stored in the facility. The total seized amounted to 5.26 million sticks of various brands valued at RM526,228.
“The estimated value of duties and taxes involved is RM7.52 million. Three Malaysian men aged between 33 and 47 were arrested to assist in the investigation,“ he said at a press conference at the Customs Tower here today.
He explained that the modus operandi in this case was to conceal untaxed goods with the intention of evading taxes and gaining a competitive edge in the local market, and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
https://thesun.my/local-news/sabah-customs-seize-contraband-cigarettes-worth-rm8-million-BH12738595
13 Kg Gold, Electronic Items Worth ₹ 10.33 Crore Seized At Mumbai Airport
The Mumbai Customs has made significant seizures totalling 13.24 kg of gold, electronics items valued at ₹ 10.33 crore, and foreign currency of ₹ 45 lakh in 24 cases in five days at the international airport here, leading to the arrest of seven passengers, officials said on Wednesday.These cases were detected by Mumbai Customs Zone III between July 10 and July 14.
The gold was concealed in various forms, such as gold dust in wax, crude jewellery, and gold bars ingeniously hidden in clothes, between layers of paper, and on or inside the bodies of passengers. Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with these seizures.
Among the arrested were five Indian nationals: two from Dubai, two from Abu Dhabi, and one from Jeddah. They were found carrying 24KT gold dust, crude gold chains, and bangles with a total net weight of 4,850 grams. The contraband was concealed on their bodies, between layers of clothing, and in their baggage, an official said.
Additionally, two Indian nationals from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were intercepted by CISF and handed over to the AIU. They were found with two pouches containing 24KT gold dust in wax, weighing 1,950 grams, hidden inside a handbag. They were subsequently arrested.
Customs Seizes 59 iPhones and other Luxury Goods Worth Rs. 69.23 Lakhs at Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport
The Customs authorities at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport seized a cache of luxury items from two Indian nationals arriving from Milan on July 14. The seizure, valued at Rs. 69.23 lakhs, included 59 iPhones, 2 Airpods, 1 iPad Air, 3 pairs of Gucci goggles, and 1 pair of Gucci sneakers. Acting under the Section110 of the Customs Act, 1962, officials arrested the individuals upon their arrival at the terminal. A thorough personal search and baggage examination led to the discovery of the smuggled goods concealed among their belongings. The Delhi Customs ( Airport and General ) has shared the seizure officially through its ‘X’ account. It stated that : “Based on profiling, Customs@IGI Airport have seized 59 iPhones along with other luxury goods collectively valued at Rs. 69.23 Lakhs from two Indian nationals who arrived from Milan. The passengers have been arrested under Customs Act 1962. Further investigation is underway.”
Section 110 of the Customs Act grants authority to proper officers of Customs to seize goods, documents, and items if there is a belief that they are liable to confiscation. When the proper officer determines that it is impractical to physically remove, transport, or store the seized goods, the officer may leave the goods in the custody of the owner, beneficial owner, or any person claiming to be the importer, provided they sign an undertaking not to remove or deal with the goods without permission. Additionally, if seizing the goods is not feasible, the officer can issue an order to the relevant person, prohibiting them from removing or dealing with the goods without prior authorization.