DRI busts syndicate effecting fake exports to Bangladesh

The shipping bills were processed for exports on paper only without presenting the actual goods.

The vehicles supposed to be carrying the goods were also not present. Investigations reveal that the syndicate provided false vehicle numbers on the shipping documents and had falsely put stamp and sign of Bangladesh Customs on the export documents to show that the consignments have crossed the border.

Import Export Code of 10 such exporting firms have been utilized in preparing 51 such fraudulent Shipping bills, wherein, goods like Pan Masala, Two wheeler and Three wheeler parts, Motor parts and items eligible for higher GST refunds, worth Rs. 24 Crores were shown to have been exported. The export benefits involved are to the tune of at least Rs 12 Crores.

In course of investigation, DRI has arrested three masterminds of the syndicate during Dec 2018, who actually planned the fraud and got it executed through different Bongaon based crooks.

The Customs Broker, who has allowed his stamps to be utilized in the fraud has also been arrested in January, 2019.

On Mar 1, six more persons S/Shri Sujit Swarnakar, Sajal Swarnakar, Dipankar Pal, Suvankar Pal, Arjun Adhikary and Prosenjit Das of Bongaon, who actually had executed the fraud at the Land Customs Station were arrested by DRI. With this, a total of ten arrests have been made in this case.

Apart from these syndicate members, role of five customs officers has also come under scanner, as they appear to have connived with such fraudsters in facilitating these fraudulent exports. They have been placed under suspension by the Department.

Image: The India-Bangladesh Petrapole border railway station. Courtesy Creative Commons