The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday registered a smuggling case of 14,40,000 cigarettes worth over Rs 1.44 crore at Mundra Port in Gujarat's Kutch.

These cigarettes were hidden in an import consignment of gypsum powder of Champion Impex Private Limited, which was examined by the DRI on February 10.

On receiving inputs, the DRI put the import consignment on hold and examined two 20 feet containers, said to be containing 1,950 bags of gypsum powder.

After investigation, each of the two containers were found stuffed with 50 boxes of cigarettes, arranged in last two rows, concealed behind bags of gypsum powder.

When opened, the said 100 boxes were found to contain 14,40,000 cigarettes of Gudang Garam International brand.

Conservative estimates put the value of the smuggled 14,40,000 cigarettes in excess of Rs. 1.44 Crore in the Indian domestic market.