Mumbai: 17 high-ranking customs officials suspended for negligence

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Recent reports have revealed that seventeen customs officials have been suspended for negligence after a series of smuggling cases were detected in the air cargo complex at Sahar.

The officials, all examiner and appraisers, included those officials who were transferred after a surprise inspection by the Central Intelligence Unit. In a report by the Times of India, the suspended customs officials had allegedly failed to nab a group of smugglers and importers who were smuggling phones and accessories into the country. This oversight has cost the customs duty worth Rs 26 crores.

In damning evidence provided, it was found that the smugglers were physically assessed and examined before they were let off. This is unlike the usual electronic facilitation method that customs officials usually use - which showed that the officials were in the know about the goods being brought into the country. Apart from the officials suspended, sources told the Times Of India that two middle-level officials were also being investigated.

Also read: Family of 3 caught smuggling 47 gold bars worth over Rs 1 crore at Mumbai airport

The air cargo complex in Mumbai is one of the biggest and oldest with an annual customs revenue of Rs 14,000 crore.

In the past there have been a slew of reports about smuggling of various items including mobile phones, blank guns, iridium and gold by importers who were adopting innovative methods to smuggle the goods into the country.