Mumbai, September 25: The Mumbai unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) un-earthed a major multi-crore export scam and seized Rs66 lakh cash from the official residence of a senior customs superintendent in follow-up raids on Thursday.
DRI sources told DNA that the agency was investigating a widespread scam of bogus export of fabrics and textiles, when it stumbled upon the active involvement of certain senior customs officials working with the export wing of the Nhava Sheva Customs.
The DRI sleuths further found out that some officers posted at the Dronagiri yard were clearing bogus consignments carrying false declarations.
In one such particular case, it was found that containers containing torn and waste cloth pieces were declared to be carrying finished fabric products. The same were being cleared by customs officials for export to Dubai. The scam came to light when one such container, sent back from Dubai, was found to be stuffed with torn and waste cloth pieces. Further investigations revealed that the container was cleared for export by customs superintendent, B Shamal.
The DRI officials conducted search operations at his official residence and found Rs66 lakh cash. Shamal has been detained for further questioning.
The DRI was now in the process of questioning all those involved in the process of clearing export consignments like the examiners attached to the Dronagiri wing and the additional Commissioner of Customs, Exports, Nhava Sheva, who is the final authority to order the export clearance.
“The entire scam may run into several crores once the entire racket is finally busted,” said a senior DRI official.
–Agencies–