5 Lakh Masks & 952 PPE Kits Being Smuggled To China Reportedly Seized By Delhi Customs
Large quantities of sanitiser, PPE kits, masks and its raw materials being sent abroad illegally have been seized by customs officials at the cargo terminal.
Delhi customs recently seized a large number of raw materials for masks, sanitisers, masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which were being smuggled to China.
Source/TimesNow
The goods were mis-declared as garments, kids dresses, cosmetic items and packing materials for pouches to avoid suspicion and further scrutiny by the customs officials, officials said.
The export of such goods is prohibited by the government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries have either increased the production of such products or ordered their imports owing to demands as they stare at its possible shortage, reports Times Now.
A notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on 19th March said, "The exports of all ventilators, surgical and disposable masks (2/3 ply), raw materials have been prohibited with immediate effect." This new notification was issued when the number of COVID-19 cases in India started spiralling up and there was an urgent need for masks, PPE and sanitisers for domestic use.
Image Source/TimesNow
These seizures were made in two different operations conducted by customs. In the first instance, the raw material for production of masks was seized. "On the basis of specific intelligence, 2480 kg of raw material for masks was intercepted by Air Cargo Export, Delhi Customs. The goods were mis-declared as packing materials for pouch and an attempt was made to illegally export or smuggle it to China. These goods are prohibited for export as per latest DGFT guidelines. The investigation in this case is under progress," said Delhi's customs department in a press statement.
Giving details of the seizures, a senior customs official said 2,480 kg of raw material for masks was intercepted by air cargo export.
In addition to these, the air cargo officers intercepted multiple shipments containing 5.08 lakh masks, 57 litres of sanitiser in 950 bottles and 952 PPE kits at the courier terminal in New Delhi, he said.
Source/TimesNow
"These were attempted to be smuggled or exported out of the country to the United States, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and other European countries,¡± the official said.
These goods are prohibited for export as per the latest guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
During the probe, it was found that there is a growing demand for these items in China and Customs special focus is now to prevent the illegal export of PPEs and masks.
All Inputs PTI
