New Delhi: A suspicious 21-tonne
consignment from the US was detained by the Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence in Uttar Pradesh after "spent cartridges"
were recovered from one of the containers.
Official sources said the consignment meant for a
Punjab-based businessman was detained last month following a
physical inspection of the consignment at the Inland Container
Depot in Loni in Uttar Pradesh.
Sources said the consignment was declared as metal
scrap but inspection revealed `spent cartridges` under the
layer of the scrap. Lead was also also found in the
consignment.
As per the law, import of arms and ammunition besides
lead are banned in Indian without prior official permission.
Import of spent cartridges are also banned.
Suspicious of the consignment, DRI officials sealed
and detained it and informed the bomb disposal squad and other
security agencies.
Interestingly, the consignment is yet to be fully
inspected and is being kept at a secluded area at the Inland
Container Depot.
Sources said there is strong suspicion that more spent
cartridges could be found besides possibility of explosive
substances.
They said spent cartridges can be refilled and used
like normal ammunition.
-PTI
