Mumbai, March 21: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai has conducted a significant operation, seizing a large shipment of prohibited electronic goods illegally imported from China. The operation resulted in the confiscation of restricted items worth ₹9.25 crore, along with ₹21 crore in cover cargo. Two suspects have also been arrested in connection with the case.
During the operation, DRI officials seized 11,060 walkie-talkie sets valued at approximately ₹2.5 crore. These devices are banned and blacklisted by the Indian government. Notably, these walkie-talkies operate within a frequency range of 400–480 megahertz, exceeding the permissible limit. According to Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) regulations, operations are only allowed within the 446.0-446.2 megahertz band without a license. This makes these devices a potential threat to national security, as they can facilitate unauthorized communication.
Additionally, the DRI confiscated 52,480 second-hand hard disk drives (HDDs), estimated to be worth around ₹7 crore. These items fall under the category of e-waste, and their import is entirely prohibited. Importing such goods requires special permission from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which was not obtained in this case.
The investigation revealed that these restricted items were imported through ‘misdeclaration.’ The shipment, consisting of eight containers, was falsely declared as ‘mixed electronic goods,’ while the actual value was around ₹30 crore.
This operation was initiated based on specific intelligence received by the DRI. The investigation uncovered that the illegal trade was being conducted through two firms located on Lamington Road in Mumbai. The operations were ostensibly run under the name of a son, while the entire racket was controlled by the father. Both suspects have been arrested, and further investigations are ongoing.
Officials have stated that the use of such prohibited walkie-talkies poses a serious security risk. Moreover, the illegal import of hard drives as e-waste raises concerns regarding environmental and data security. The DRI emphasized that such actions demonstrate the agency’s commitment to rigorously addressing threats to the country’s economic and national security.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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