DRI uncovers ₹2,500-cr customs duty fraud in areca nut imports

The investigation has so far revealed a potential revenue loss of more than Rs 2,500 crore to the exchequer, while nine persons have been arrested in connection with the case. According to the Ministry, syndicates were importing areca nuts into India from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries and falsely declaring Bangladesh as the country of origin to fraudulently avail concessional duty benefits under SAFTA.