The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested Sneh Dipakbhai Kakadiya, a Gujarat-based trader, for allegedly orchestrating a Rs44 crore customs duty evasion scam involving the under-invoicing of inshell walnut imports from Chile.
According to officials, Kakadiya, along with his father Dipak Kakadiya, used their firms — M/s Angel Enterprise and M/s Dipak Trading Co. — to manipulate the declared value of large walnut consignments. The firms routed original invoices through a Dubai-based front company, M/s Euro Seven General Trading LLC, and submitted forged invoices showing prices as low as Rs1.50/kg, far below the actual Rs2.70/kg rate.
This underreporting allowed them to clear over 3,600 metric tonnes of walnuts, evading Rs44 crore in 100% basic customs duty.
The DRI recovered critical digital evidence including fake invoices, original documents, and insurance papers from Kakadiya’s email accounts. Officials suspect the illicit profits were laundered via hawala channels, as Kakadiya refused to provide financial details during questioning.
Authorities added that there was a high risk of evidence tampering and witness influence, and noted Kakadiya was intercepted at Surat International Airport on June 25, allegedly trying to flee the country.
