Chinese apples wrapped in white nets on sale in Raxaul on the India-Nepal border on Wednesday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Motihari, June 22: Snow White’s stepmother used a luscious red apple to poison her, and smugglers are using the Chinese variety of the fruit to give sleepless nights to customs officials here.

Sources said the Chinese apples, wrapped in a white net have flooded markets in both East and West Champaran.

They are also being despatched to different parts of the country by trains and trucks. Around 700 to 1,000 cartons of the fruit have already been sent out on rail route.

The delicious fruit has, however, left a bad taste in the mouth of the officials of the directorate of revenue intelligence and other government agencies that are responsible to check smuggling.

Residents of border areas said apples, as well as other items, entered Indian territory from Nepal via rural or main roads, hidden in a large number of vehicles.

The syndicate of smugglers then conceals these at different locations, before being despatched to different parts of India.

A.P. Mishra, the assistant commissioner of customs at Raxaul, told The Telegraph: “In view of the Indian government’s ban on the import of Chinese products, the entry of the fruit into our territory is completely prohibited. These can be seized if found within Indian territory.”

Though the officials are well aware of the free flow of smuggled goods, they can do precious little to stem it. Not only are they overwhelmed by the far-reaching influence of the smugglers, they are busy playing the blame game.

“We know about the matter. However, we cannot seize Chinese apples because customs at Raxaul are not willing to accept it,” B.S. Pratihar, assistant commandant, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Pantoka, told The Telegraph.

Sources said joint operations of SSB, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have faced stiff opposition.

Raxaul RPF inspector Suresh Sharma told The Telegraph: “I will look into the matter, conduct an inquiry and report to my seniors.”

Sources said the smuggled goods were transported not only on short distance trains but also Satyagraha Express, Mithila Express and Sadbhavana Express that go to major railway junctions like Delhi or Howrah.

Women carriers were used frequently, and they bribe the GRP or RPF officers on duty on trains.

Raxaul station manager Om Prakash Shivastava was not available for comment.