CBI initiates probe into smuggling of substandard betel/areca nuts of Indonesian origin

The CBI has registered a case against unknown officials of the Central Excise and Customs for allegedly allowing the smuggling of substandard betel/areca nuts of Indonesian origin, leading to evasion of ₹15,000 crore of Customs Duty annually. The case has been instituted on the Bombay High Court’s directive with respect to a PIL alleging that substandard, unsafe and unfit betel/areca nuts were being smuggled in by unscrupulous traders in connivance with the Customs officials, based on forged certificates of origin, undervalued invoices and fake clearance certificates.