MUMBAI: Seventeen customs officials—all examiners and appraisers—have been suspended for alleged negligence following a series of smuggling cases detected in the air cargo complex at Sahar.
Those suspended include 11 officers who were transferred after a surprise inspection by the Central Intelligence Unit at the complex revealed that a group of importers was smuggling mobile phones and accessories and had caused a loss of customs duty worth Rs 26 crore. TOI was the first to report the matter on May 8 and had carried a series of reports in May and June on the smuggling of various items including mobile phones, blank guns, iridium and gold by importers adopting innovative methods.
In the case of mobile phones and accessories, the imports were physically assessed and examined and not cleared automatically through the electronic facilitation mode, indicating that officers were aware of the items, sources said.
The air cargo complex in Mumbai is the oldest and biggest in India, with annual customs revenue of Rs14,000 crore.
The role of two middle-level officials is also being investigated, sources said.
A note issued by chief commissioner, customs, Devendra Singh said, “The Customs department has also been swift in putting 17 departmental officers under suspension so as to ensure transparent and impartial internal inquiry into the issues and to fix responsibility, in case there is any lapse on the part of the staff.” He also said that the department has arrested 11 importers, including customs agents, for their involvement in the suspected smuggling. In the case of mobile phone smuggling, the department has recovered Rs 2 crore duty, he said, adding he would act tough on corruption and smuggling.
The role of examiners is to inspect the cargo while the appraisers are assigned the job of co-relating with documents submitted and the value declared. Sources said some of the examiners are probationers who could be dismissed without any inquiry.
The Directorate of Vigilance will investigate the allegations against the officers and submit a chargesheet. The punishment ranges from dismissal to withholding promotions. CBI is also probing the role of the officials, sources said.
In the past three months, at least four different agencies —the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch, CIU, Directorate of Vigilance and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence — have busted smuggling rackets in the air cargo complex, raising questions about the effectiveness of the monitoring system.
Singh denied any lapse by the department. In the case involving smuggling of gold and iridium in machine parts busted by DRI, Singh said there was no lapse on his part. “It is suspected that gold and iridium were being removed before examination by the Customs with the help of ground staff of airlines or custodian (Mumbai International Airport Ltd). The person taking delivery of such imports has been arrested and further investigation is on to apprehend others involved in smuggling,” Singh said.