India, Aug. 17 -- DRI officers have dismantled a network involved in importing South-East Asian areca nuts into India by falsely declaring them as Bangladeshi origin and fraudulently availing concessional duty benefits under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).

The finance ministry, in a statement, said an investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has so far revealed a potential revenue loss of more than Rs 2,500 crore through illegal imports of areca nuts. Nine persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

The import of areca nuts into India attracts a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 100 per cent. However, eligible imports of areca nuts made under the SAFTA agreement are fully exempt from customs duty. Th...