Mumbai News: Company Director Held By DRI For ₹9 Crore Duty Evasion via Misdeclared Chinese Imports

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday arrested the Director of a private company in a case involving duty evasion of Rs9 crore through mis-declaration of an import consignment from China.

According to DRI sources, specific intelligence indicated that an importer based in Yeola was mis-declaring nutrition products from China – such as Pea Protein and Collagen Peptides – as Glycine. Two Bills of Entry dated January 2, covering four containers, were held for inspection on January 13, and 15. Searches at the importer’s premises on January 13 and 22 led to the collection of samples, which were sent for scientific analysis. Test reports received on January 31 confirmed the goods were a mix of amino acids and not pure glycine as declared.

“The findings reveal major discrepancies between the declared and actual nature of the goods. One of the company’s directors, responsible for daily operations, was summoned for questioning but instead sought anticipatory bail, which the Sessions Court, Mumbai had rejected on March 3,” said a DRI official.

The company later expressed willingness to pay the evaded duty and deposited Rs2 crore on May 16. Upon the director’s arrival from Barcelona (via Abu Dhabi) at CSMI Mumbai airport on Saturday, he was intercepted and asked to record his statement as well.