Official sources said Rohit Sakhuja, a Karol Bagh businessman, surrendered in a local court on Saturday from where he was sent to two days police custody. Following which, he has been sent to 14 days judicial custody.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had in June unearthed an international syndicate involved in smuggling of a restricted refrigeration gases, air conditioners and cigarettes from foreign countries worth about Rs 10 crore.
However, the eight containers filled with smuggled items were brought out from Inland Container Depot in Tughlakabad on the basis of forged documents allegedly by the accused and one of his another accomplice Ajit Chhadha, the sources said.
Chaddha has already been arrested and lodged in Tihar Jail, they said.
The case was later handed over to Delhi Police to probe alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery in getting the forged clearance for the containers, the sources said.
Delhi Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of IPC and a warrant against the accused was issued.
"Sakhuja, who is a prime suspect, in the case has surrendered in a Saket court. He has been sent to 14 days judicial custody," a source privy to the development said.
The containers had over 8,000 air conditioners of various brands and 6,000 units of R-22 gases, commonly used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems which were seized by the DRI officials, the sources said.
They also said the sleuths have also recovered at least 18,000 packets (one packet containing 20 packs of 10 cigarettes each) of 'Djarum Black' brand and over 11,000 packets (one packet containing 24 packs of 10 cigarettes each) of 'Gudang Garam'. Both the brands were manufactured in Indonesia and used in clubs or in rave parties, they said.
The DRI is also looking into the case and roped in customs authorities to check involvement of certain government officials in the smuggling racket.
