MUMBAI, July 24: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested three persons for the alleged smuggling of Alcatel cellular phones valued at Rs 33 lakhs. Acting on a tip-off, the agency arrested Ketan H Mehta and Vinod M Parekh on Tuesday at Sahar airport on arrival from Dubai. The duo had not declared the 200 sets which were found in their baggage to the customs, alleges the remand application of the DRI. The duo allegedly revealed that they were operating for some time for one Nilesh N Mehta, who in turn said he had ordered them for a Mumbai-based person. The agency is yet to arrest this person.

Nilesh Mehta got himself arrested when he came to the airport to receive the duo. The DRI also found papers, including the original delivery note issued by Alcatel, France, to M/s Ali Al Aweer Trading, Dubai, for 250 cellular phones. The documents for bonding of this cargo at Dubai were also allegedly recovered.

Documents recovered from the home of Nilesh Mehta revealeddetails of the visits of Ketan Mehta to Dubai as also certain documents relating to deals in spectacles frames.

IE employee retires

P Pakkianathan, a film setter operator with the English composing department, retired on Friday after serving the Indian Express for 31 years. He was accorded a warm farewell by his colleagues.

Shravan festival celebrations