The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a crackdown on internal corruption within the Customs department, registering an FIR against three officials—including a retired Superintendent for their alleged involvement in a bribery racket linked to smuggled goods in Mizoram.
The case, officially registered on February 3, 2026, follows a complaint from the Additional Commissioner of CGST, Guwahati. The investigation centers on allegations of “illegal gratification” and the disappearance of seized items from government custody.
The Allegations: Bribes for Seized Goods
The accused officials were previously posted at the Customs Preventive Force (CPF) in Champhai, Mizoram. According to the CBI, between 2022 and 2023, these officials allegedly abused their positions to enrich themselves through the following tactics:
- Illegal Detention: Consignments of areca nuts, cigarettes, and other smuggled goods were detained without the mandatory legal documentation.
- Extortion: Bribes were allegedly demanded from the owners of the goods in exchange for their release.
- Bribery: The agency claims the officials received over Rs 35 lakh in illegal payments across multiple instances to release confiscated items.
Inventory Discrepancies
Beyond the bribery charges, a major audit of the department’s storage facilities revealed a significant breach of security and protocol.
“It has also been alleged that goods worth over Rs 1.42 crore were found missing from the godowns in respect of seizures effected in various cases between December 23, 2022 and April 26, 2023,” the CBI stated.
Multi-State Raids Underway
The CBI is currently executing a wide-reaching search operation across the country to gather evidence. Searches are being conducted at the residential and professional premises of the accused in:
- Guwahati, Assam
- Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
- Patna, Bihar
- Churachandpur, Manipur
- Sikar, Rajasthan
The agency has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and more details regarding the involvement of other intermediaries or higher-ups may emerge as the probe progresses.
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