CBI conducts searches against those smuggling hazardous betel nuts Updated: Updated: Share Article AAA The Central Bureau of Investigation has conducted searches at 19 locations in a case against unknown Central Excise and Customs officials and others for allowing the smuggling of substandard betel/areca nuts of Indonesian origin, leading to Customs Duty evasion of about ₹15,000 crore annually. The searches were carried out in Nagpur, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, on the premises of private persons, including proprietors or partners of importing firms and customs house agents. The agency had registered the case in March following a Bombay High Court directive on a public interest litigation alleging that substandard, unsafe and unfit betel/areca nuts of Indonesian origin were being smuggled in by unscrupulous traders in conspiracy with the Customs officials.