Smugglers dodge security forces

KAKADBHITTA, DEC 08 -

With security agencies concentrating all their efforts on controlling the smuggling of betel nuts, other goods that used to enter the country through the Mechi Customs legally are being smuggled through alternative routes.

Sources at the customs office said not a single kilogram of tobacco has entered the country through the customs for the last five months although the product worth hundreds of thousands of rupees used to be imported legally earlier.

After security forces focused on main customs points, goods like textiles, powder milk, tyres, computer parts and auto parts are being smuggled through alternative routes. “Import of some major products through the legitimate routes is almost negligible,” said Customs Officer Bamdev Panthi. “It is understood that the products are being smuggled through alternate routes.”

According to a source, about a truck of tobacco is smuggled daily through sub-routes.

The government levies a heavy customs duty on the import of tobacco. Importers need to pay more than Rs 200 per kg of tobacco as customs duty. It includes 30 percent customs duty, 13 percent VAT and more than Rs 160 excise duty. Smuggling of tobacco, a major contributor to the customs revenue, has affected the custom’s revenue collection.

A gutkha company based in Bhadrapur, Jhapa, is one of the major importers of tobacco in the region. Based on the estimated domestic consumption, the company imports a truck of tobacco every day. However, district-based security authorities are unaware how such a large quantity of tobacco is being imported.

Armed Police Force (APF) SP Harka Bahadur Rawal admitted they were not effective enough to control the smuggling of tobacco although they were informed about the smuggling through alternative routes. “We are investigating on how the smuggling is taking place,” he said. APF recently seized two trucks of tobacco from Rajgadh and Jorsimal.

According to the customs source, tobacco is brought in through the entry points of Kechana, Prithvinagar, Naya Bazar of Bhadrapur and Karakbhitta. Locals said the product is smuggled in collusion with the ward police office of the Bhadrapur entry point.

Traders of Rajgadh have registered a tobacco production firm despite the fact that the district has no prospects of tobacco production. It has been reported they give the tag of local product to smuggled tobacco.

Betel nuts smuggled in car

KAKARBHITTA: Locals in the bordering area of Jhapa are using new methods to smuggle betel nuts. In a new trend, they are smuggling the product in cars to avert police attention. The trick was exposed after the police on Thursday confiscated 150 kg betel nuts being smuggled to India from a car.

The police took the car and along with two youths a driver under control. Driver Sajan Rasayeli said an Indian had promised him to pay IRs 100 per kg of betel nuts just to drive the car across the border.

Source: The Kathmandu Post