Officials of Andhra Pradesh State Intelligence Department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, conducted raids in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and busted an international diesel smuggling.
They seized 14 containers of diesel, worth about ₹1 crore, and apprehended four persons, including the kingpin of the international smuggling racket, under the Customs Act, 1962.
The smugglers so far imported about 63 lakh litres in 285 containers (i.e. 5,366 Metric Tonnes) of diesel, valued at ₹17.7 Crore, from Dubai to Chennai and Kakinada and were doing sales in Tamil Nadu, A.P, and Telangana.
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12 places searched
Smuggling of diesel, was a restricted as per the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), but the accused were importing diesel in the guise of mineral spirit. The DRI and the Intelligence sleuths conducted searches at two Container Freight Stations, Chennai, and found 14 containers imported to Chennai Port in the name of M/s. SAF Petroleum and M/s. Aditya Marine Landed at Sanco CFS and Gateway CFS, Chennai.
The diesel, which was about 3 lakh litres, was declared as mineral spirit. Samples were sent to the laboratory and in chemical examination, it was proved that it was diesel. Simultaneous raids were conducted at 12 places at Kakinada and Chennai, in the offices of the importers, agents, operators, transportation brokers and hawala operators.
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Intelligence officials said the operators opened offices in Maraimalai Nagar and Guindy in Chennai and in Kakinada, for importing and distribution of the diesel.