DRI Busts Smuggling Syndicate at Nhava Sheva, Seizes Rs. 2.04 Crore Worth of Restricted and Counterfeit Goods

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has apprehended Jaysing Shelke (36), proprietor of M/s Jay Overseas, for allegedly attempting to smuggle restricted and prohibited goods valued at ₹2.04 crore through Nhava Sheva port by grossly misdeclaring import documents.

According to officials, the interception followed actionable intelligence pointing to a suspicious consignment imported under a Bill of Lading, declared as containing general merchandise. DRI officers conducted a detailed examination of the container on July 5, 2025, at CFS Ashte Logistics Pvt. Ltd., in the presence of representatives from M/s Sadguru Logistics Pvt. Ltd., the Customs House Agent (CHA) firm responsible for clearance.

The probe uncovered large quantities of fireworks and firecrackers, pocket lighters, and counterfeit products, including flip-flops branded as ‘Nike’, clogs marked as ‘Crocs’, and shoes’ inner soles—all either undeclared or misdeclared in the shipping documents. A chartered engineer assessed the total value of the seized consignment at ₹2.04 crore.

Legal Violations and Licensing Requirements

Investigators highlighted that the import of fireworks is restricted under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy and requires licences from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). Similarly, the import of lighters priced below ₹20 per piece and footwear without Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification is prohibited.

Statements recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962, revealed that Shelke, allegedly acting on instructions from Dipak Gautam Thakar, facilitated the import using M/s Jay Overseas’ Import Export Code. Shelke reportedly admitted to receiving ₹25,000 for handling the consignment and confessed to destroying his mobile SIM card to evade detection.

Syndicate Links and Further Investigation

DRI officials believe that Shelke’s firm was being used as a front by Thakar and Javid Memon Mohd. Hanif to import restricted and counterfeit goods from China. Shelke was arrested on October 5, 2025, under Sections 104 and 135 of the Customs Act, 1962, for his role in this organised smuggling operation.

Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to trace the financial network behind the syndicate and identify other individuals involved in the illicit imports.