**Mumbai: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Seizes Hazardous E-Waste Worth Rs 23 Crore**
In a major crackdown on illegal imports of hazardous e-waste, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, has seized consignments of old and used laptops, CPUs, motherboard chips, and other electronic goods worth Rs 23 crore.
A Surat-based businessman, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the smuggling racket, has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, the agency said on Saturday.
### Operation DigiScrap: The Crackdown
As part of a targeted enforcement drive codenamed **Operation DigiScrap**, DRI officials at Nhava Sheva port intercepted four containers flagged by intelligence inputs. Though the consignments were officially declared as “Aluminium Treat Scrap,” a detailed inspection uncovered a staggering haul of:
– 17,760 used laptops
– 11,340 mini CPUs
– 7,140 processor chips
– Other electronic components
These items were clandestinely hidden behind the metal scrap.
### Modus Operandi of the Smugglers
Investigators revealed that the smugglers used a simple but effective method: by misdeclaring the consignments as “Aluminium Treat Scrap,” the importers avoided routine scrutiny and concealed high-value electronics behind layers of scrap material.
Sources said the mastermind not only financed the consignments but also supervised procurement and shipment logistics to ensure smooth passage through customs.
The consignments were seized under **Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962**.
### Illegal Trade and Regulatory Violations
The seizure has exposed a grey trade that exploits loopholes in India’s enforcement and recycling ecosystem. Import of used and refurbished electronics is strictly prohibited under:
– The **Foreign Trade Policy 2023**
– The **E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022**
– The **Electronics and IT Goods (Compulsory Registration) Order 2021**
Officials warn that such consignments not only bypass safety and labelling norms but also expose India to severe environmental and health hazards.
Despite strict regulations, traffickers continue to smuggle used and refurbished electronics into the country, exploiting gaps in enforcement.
### Ongoing Investigations and Wider Network
The arrested Surat-based director of the importing firm has been remanded to judicial custody, but investigators believe he is part of a wider network.
Sources indicate that probes are underway to track:
– Financing channels
– Overseas suppliers
– Local buyers linked to the consignment
### The Bigger Picture: E-Waste Smuggling and Port Security
This case underscores how India’s ports continue to be on the radar of smugglers seeking to dump e-waste, a problem that has grown alongside rising restrictions in other parts of the world.
For enforcement agencies, Operation DigiScrap is not just a high-value seizure but a warning about the scale at which the illicit trade in electronic junk is evolving.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/operation-digiscrap-mumbai-dri-intercepts-massive-23-crore-e-waste-shipment-suspect-in-custody
