Indore: The city, which is the financial capital of state, is fast emerging as the new metro destination for smugglers and custom duty evaders. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested over 12 people in the last four years and seized smuggled goods worth Rs 83.41 crore.
The goods seized included gold, cigarettes, drugs and tyres. Over 12 people were arrested in this connection. As a result of new import policy, the smuggling of gold and silver decreased but continued. Similarly, the smuggling of narcotic drugs continued through city because of its close proximity to Mandsaur and Neemuch, which are major opium cultivation districts.
Of late, smuggling of these drugs has also increased. The central government set up regional unit of Directorate of had set up Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in the city in 2014. It has been elevated as the zonal unit keeping in view the rise in smuggling of goods in Indore and surrounding districts. Sources at DRI said the incidents of smuggling and custom duty evasion have increased because of city’s economic growth and good connectivity with major cities in the country.