Mumbai: Three arrested for importing high-speed diesel illegally from UAE

A crime syndicate involved in the illegal import of high-speed diesel, the import of which is restricted, from the United Arab Emirates has been busted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, officials said.

The DRI said the ring used to buy the 100% distillate fuel from refineries in the UAE, blend it with other petrochemicals to change its composition and characteristics so it could pass for mixed hydrocarbon oil through the customs, and import it.

Three people, including a woman, have been arrested as the authorities suspect they have imported 9,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel worth Rs 37 crore.

They have been identified as Khar resident Dharmendra Sajnani, 51, Powai resident Indu Shekhar, 51, and Andheri resident Anjali Dubey, 30.

According to the information with the agency, a group of importers was smuggling the fuel into India at Nhava Sheva port by "mis-declaring and undervaluing it in the shipping documents".

A DRI official said, "We summoned Sajnani, Shekhar and Dubey and recorded their statements. The trio has admitted that through their companies Autostar Lubricants, Grease Pvt Ltd, Alora Petrochem Ltd and Flexi India, they imported diesel purchased through refineries in the UAE after blending it with other petrochemicals so they could pass it off for mixed hydrocarbon oil through Customs."

The trio confirmed that the product imported by them is diesel which they have sold in the local market.

"They have admitted these consignments were grossly undervalued. The remaining amount above the invoiced part was sent to UAE through non-banking channels. One such consignment imported in the name of Flexi India has been kept on hold and will be tested to confirm its composition," the official said.