600 'illegal' iPhone 5S, iPhone 6S models worth Rs 2 crore seized

New Delhi: The Trade and Taxes department of of Delhi government has seized a huge consignment of 600 iPhones, worth over Rs 2 crore, being brought to Delhi "illegally" without proper documents.

VAT Commissioner S S Yadav said the consignment seized yesterday was being delivered by a renowned courier company. The seizure has also led to busting of a racket of illegal import of high value electronic goods from other states to Delhi and their sale in the national capital without payment of the VAT.

"The consignment caught comprises of 600 iPhones of both 5S and 6S models. The total value of the consignment is over Rs 2 crore. Strict action is being taken both against the dealer and the courier company involved," Yadav said in a statement.

He further said that his department has stepped up the vigil at the entry points of Delhi to prevent entry of undeclared goods in the capital. Automatic number plate reader cameras have also been deployed at the entry points to check vehicles bringing undeclared goods.

According to the VAT Commissioner, the teams of the Trade and Taxes Department are on an average detaining about 20 vehicles carrying undeclared goods every day.

Strict action is taken against such evaders including impounding of vehicle, recovery of tax, imposition of penalty on both the dealer and the transporter.

The Department has recovered more than Rs 50 crore in the current financial year so far from such evaders, he added.