{
  "id": 1233465,
  "title": "DRI Busts Areca Nut Import Network, ₹2,500 Crore Customs Duty Fraud Uncovered",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/dri-busts-areca-nut-import-network-2-500-crore-customs-duty-fraud",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T07:39:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/dri-busts-areca-nut-import-network-2500-crore-customs-duty-fraud-uncovered"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled an alleged network involved in the illegal import of areca nuts into India, resulting in a potential customs duty loss of over Rs 2,500 crore, according to the Finance Ministry. Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The alleged scheme saw areca nuts from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and other South-East Asian countries being falsely declared as originating from Bangladesh, thereby enabling importers to claim customs duty benefits under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement. This misdeclaration allowed the illicit imports to avoid the full Basic Customs Duty of 100 per cent typically imposed on areca nuts. Intelligence gathered by the DRI revealed that certain groups had been claiming SAFTA benefits while sourcing areca nuts from South-East Asian countries, rather than Bangladesh as required by the Rules of Origin. During operations in Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, DRI officials conducted simultaneous searches at several importers, customs brokers, and Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holders. Evidence recovered included documents and other materials establishing the South-East Asian origin of the imported areca nuts. The investigation uncovered around Rs 75 lakh in cash and approximately 160 metric tonnes of areca nuts. The customs broker's license implicated in the case has been suspended. Ongoing investigations are targeting the alleged import network and the individuals involved.",
  "summary": "New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a network allegedly involved in illegally importing areca nuts into India and causing a potential customs duty loss of more than Rs 2,500 crore. The Finance Ministry said nine people have been arrested so far in connection with the case. Origin Falsely Declared According to the ministry, areca nuts sourced from Indonesia,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}