Seven sent to remand in ₹1 crore betel nut seizure, Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar buyers among accused

Seven persons, including buyers from Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, have been arrested in connection with the seizure of 26,650 kg of imported betel nuts valued at ₹1.06 crore from Adhoi village in Bhachau taluka, Kutch district. The accused were produced before a Bhachau court and sent to police remand as investigations continue into an alleged illegal import and black-market sales network.

The seizure was made by the Cyber Crime Police of the Kutch Range IGP following a tip-off. Police said the consignment, imported from Indonesia, was linked to a fake e-way bill showing its movement from Karnataka to Anjar, allegedly to evade taxes and regulatory checks.

Fake e-way bill, suspected black-market sale

According to the police complaint, the betel nuts were either intended for use in pan masala manufacturing or for sale in the open market without valid bills. Investigators found that a fake e-way bill dated January 6 was generated to show the consignment as a domestic interstate movement from Karnataka to Anjar, despite it being an imported shipment.

Police sources said the false documentation was allegedly used as genuine to facilitate transportation and storage of the consignment in Kutch.

Raid at Adhoi village, goods worth ₹1.51 crore seized

The raid was conducted at a residential house in Sahu Nagar, Adhoi village, owned by Hiren Ishwarpuri Goswami. From the premises, police recovered an entire container of betel nuts along with two luxury vehicles allegedly used for patrolling the area.

In total, property worth ₹1.51 crore was seized. This included betel nuts worth ₹1.06 crore, three vehicles valued at ₹42 lakh, 10 mobile phones worth ₹2.15 lakh, and a laptop. The seized vehicles included a Kia car and a Compass SUV allegedly used by the Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar buyers.

Buyers, brokers and driver among arrested

Those arrested include three alleged buyers: Ezaz Jamil Sorathia of Sarkhej, Ahmedabad; Mohammed Iqbal Arbiyani of the Khanpur–J.P. Chowk area in Ahmedabad; and Anandkumar Saraschandra Singh, originally from Gandhinagar and currently residing in Adipur.

The trailer carrying the consignment was being driven by Deeparam Bhojaram Jat of Barmer, Rajasthan. Two alleged brokers involved in the movement of the betel nuts—Paresh Jayantilal Shah of Om Villa near Gulab Mill, Anjar, and Manish Raghunath Nathbawa of Sahu Nagar, Adhoi—were also arrested. Goswami, the owner of the house where the consignment was stored, was taken into custody as well.

Court grants police remand

All seven accused were produced before the Bhachau court by the Border Range Cyber Crime Police and were granted three days’ police remand. Police told the court that custodial interrogation was necessary to trace the origins and beneficiaries of the alleged smuggling and diversion network.

Investigators said they would examine where and by whom the fake e-way bill was generated, at which port the Indonesian consignment was unloaded, how it was transported to Adhoi, and to whom it was ultimately meant to be sold.

Probe into wider network

Police sources said the case may help expose an interstate and port-linked network involved in illegal imports and tax evasion, allegedly causing significant losses to government revenue. The Cyber Crime Cell has begun analysing mobile phone data and digital evidence to map the roles of the accused and identify possible masterminds behind the operation.

Investigators alleged that the accused acted in concert for personal gain, using deception and forged documentation to procure, transport and store the consignment.

Further arrests have not been ruled out as the probe widens.