Customs official suspended for smuggling
An assistant customs commissioner was suspended from service for his alleged involvement with red sanders smugglers. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against the officer, who was posted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at Uran in Navi Mumbai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had seized the contraband at the port earlier this month when the officer’s involvement was revealed in the subsequent investigation.
Acting on a tip-off, a container carrying 12.3 metric tonnes of red sanders was seized at the port by DRI officials on April 5. The contraband is valued at around `5 crore in the international market and `1.25 crore in the domestic market. “The container was destined for Malaysia and had already sailed, but was recalled. The consignment was declared to be carpets, but the smugglers had swapped it with red sanders, while it was on its way from the Container Freight Station. A man named Piyush Meghnani (40) was arrested and he spilled the beans on assistant commissioner Altaf Mohammad’s (45) involvement,” said a DRI official.
Mohammed was attached to the marine and preventive wing of the customs. Meghnani, who was booked under several sections of the Customs Act, was later released on bail.
“Mohammed had been giving inside help to the smugglers to successfully transport the contraband. We also learnt that he was guiding them on avoiding detection by suggesting various channels. How-ever, we are yet to determine the amount of gratification he accepted in return for his help,” the official added. Altaf admitted to his role.
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