A high level police source said huge quantities of rice and pulses are entering Nepal without paying any customs duty with the support of customs officials.[break]
Asgar Miya, Rosan Miya and Manoj Subba are operating smuggling racket at those customs points to import huge quantities of essential commodities like rice and pulses from India.
“Smuggling is common through Materuwa and Daraiya points as the agencies responsible for customs check are not fulfilling their responsibilities,” said the source. The smuggling racket in Materuwa was uncovered after a truck-load of rice illegally imported by Asgar Miya was confiscated on Friday.
The truck (Ko 1 Kha 1120) with the smuggled rice was stopped by local people before police took the vehicle under control. The truck was ferrying the rice to Chandrashiv Rice Mill in Biratnagar-4. India has imposed a ban on the export of rice since past three years which has encouraged smuggling of the food grain through clandestine routes. Police has handed over the truck to customs office.
Binod Kuwar, the chief at Biratnagar customs, and Nirakar Nath Sukla, Deputy Superintendent of Armed Police Force, said smugglers are shifting to small customs from the main customs where strict restrictions on the import of food grain have been enforced.
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