February 25: The Department Revenue Investigation has started monitoring the case of misuse of the green lane of Birganj Dry Port in which prohibited goods were imported in the guise of other goods mentioned in the declaration form.

The Department of Customs is currently investigating this case suspecting collusion between the then high-ranking officials of the Department of Customs and the Dry Port Customs Office. According to the officials of the Department of Customs, the collusion took place in the interest and under the protection of the then ruling party.

Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation Nawa Raj Dhungana said that although the responsibility of preliminary investigation and action lies with the department, the Department Revenue Investigation has been constantly monitoring the issue.

“The Department of Customs will take action according to the law. If not, we will investigate. Currently, we are collecting the necessary information required for the investigation," Dhungana, Director General of Department of Revenue Investigation, told New Business Age.

The Dry Port Customs Office initiated investigation after finding betel nuts in containers labeled as chicken feed and scooters labeled as hardware.

An officer of the Department of Customs said that after opening 400 containers stored at the port for four years, more than 100 containers were found to have goods other than that mentioned in the labels.

The incident came to light after the government banned the imports of peas, betel nuts, pepper, dry dates and liquor in 2076 saying that there was pressure in the foreign exchange reserves.