CHENNAI: Allowing green peas, a restricted item at Chennai port, to be imported from Dubai landed three customs officers in prison, while the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is probing the connivance of senior customs officials in the incident.
Based on information, DRI sleuths carried out searches in two containers that arrived from Jebel Ali, Dubai, last week. While the consignment was declared as urad dal and toor dal, the actual goods were green peas, a restricted item to be imported via Chennai port. About 100 tonnes of green peas worth Rs 2 crore was seized by DRI.
DRI sources said that green peas can be imported only via Kolkata port. Certain goods are restricted to specific ports primarily due to customs regulations and due to specialised handling requirements, safety concerns, and the need to monitor sensitive items like hazardous materials, agricultural products susceptible to disease, or endangered species.
However, a customs assistant officer, inspector, and a superintendent, in connivance with the importers, allowed the green peas and tried to pass it off as urad and toor dals, said sources. Since the value of the goods is more than Rs 2 crore, the officers were arrested.
The role of senior customs officials and the whereabouts of the importers are being probed, added sources.