Mumbai: Customs seize 4,600 smuggled laptops

Cash proceeds recovered from the sale of smuggled goods (top) Smuggled laptops and CPUs recovered

Based on specific intelligence gathered by the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB) (Import) at Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH) in Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, customs officials have made one of the largest seizures in recent history. The operation resulted in the confiscation of 4,600 old/used refurbished laptops from various brands (including Dell, HP, and Lenovo) and 1,546 old/used CPUs. These goods, imported from the UAE through a Hong Kong-based supplier, are valued at an estimated Rs 4.11 crore.

According to customs, the investigation revealed that the CPUs were used to conceal the laptops that were in good condition. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) policy restricts importing such goods without proper authorisation. The importers attempted to smuggle the laptops by misdeclaring them as motherboard casings and other items through ICD (Inland Container Depots).

Following the seizure, SIIB (Import) conducted multiple simultaneous searches in Mumbai and Delhi. This led to the arrest of the mastermind and proprietor of the importing firm, as part of ongoing efforts to curb smuggling activities. Additionally, Rs 27.37 lakh in cash, identified as proceeds from the sale of smuggled goods, was recovered and seized from the importer's premises.

Further investigation uncovered two similar shipments at Delhi Air Cargo Customs. SIIB(I), JNCH officers shared this intelligence with their Delhi counterparts, resulting in the seizure of around 2,100 old and used laptops at Delhi air cargo. "This seizure and subsequent arrest of the mastermind by SIIB(I), JNCH highlights our commitment to combating the illegal smuggling of restricted/prohibited goods," a customs official said.