DRI Arrests Man Over Attempted Export of Diamonds Worth Rs 10 Crore in Mumbai

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has arrested a man named Ashishkumar Maniya for his alleged involvement in an attempt to illegally export diamonds, gemstones, and jewellery valued at more than Rs 10 crore from the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai.

The interception took place after the Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch of the Airport Special Cargo, under Mumbai Customs Zone-III, examined an export consignment filed by a firm named Zeel Impex on September 8.

According to official records, the shipping bill declared that the consignment contained 61.98 carats of lab-grown cut and polished diamonds with an estimated value of Rs 5.10 lakh. The cargo was packed inside a tin box that weighed a total of 6.8 kg.

During a physical examination of the parcel, customs officers discovered a false-layer separator built into the packaging. Beneath this separator was a concealed cavity holding undeclared precious cargo, which included different varieties and grades of diamonds, gems, and finished jewellery items.

A three-member panel of expert valuers was subsequently brought in to inspect the undeclared cargo. The panel assessed the value of the concealed precious stones and jewellery at Rs 10.008 crore, which increased the total attempted export value of the consignment to Rs 10.059 crore.

Following the seizure, the DRI questioned Ashishkumar Maniya and recorded his statement under Section 108 of the Customs Act. Investigators stated that Maniya admitted having prior knowledge of the concealed goods hidden inside the shipment.

During questioning, Maniya reportedly told officials that he had been authorized to act by Nishant Maniya, who is the proprietor of Zeel Impex. He also informed authorities that the firm's export-related operations were handled by Naresh Maniya.