Chennai: A massive search operation is being carried out by central agencies in container terminals handling sea port containers in Chennai following alert on possible smuggling of Indian counterfeit currency notes into the country from ports in Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Dubai.
Customs and directorate of revenue intelligence are carrying out searches in almost all containers, which are scheduled for delivery from Friday based on an alert from the intelligence agency.
Because of the search operations, no delivery of import goods is happening from any container terminals in Chennai, seaport sources said. The Chennai customs house agents’ association noted that there is no import delivery happening in Chennai till further orders.
DRI officials are tight-lipped about the search operation. They said they were carrying out examinations based on instructions received from Delhi.
However, sources in the customs department noted that the search is carried out based on alert that containers filled with counterfeit currency notes of new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 have landed in Chennai port from some foreign country. “A Korean ship had been making visits to ports in Dubai, Pakistan and Bangladesh before coming to Chennai port. Apart from checking what the particular ship had delivered, all other consignments came from those countries are also being checked,” sources said.
The inspection by central agencies had resulted in piling up of containers at the terminals since Friday night. Some of the cleared containers are also being recalled for inspection, sources added.
Around 12 to 20 ships make a visit to Chennai port daily which results in the generation of 1,000 to 1,200 billings with over 2,500 containers. The containers, mainly arrive from China, USA, Taiwan and Arab countries.
Customs department had asked all the CFTs in Chennai and surrounding areas to keep the terminals open on Sunday, indicating that an examination by DRI and customs department will continue on Sunday as well.
