Mumbai, May 27 (IANS): The Mumbai anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended three officers for accepting bribe while on duty in separate operations and seized large amounts of cash from them, an official said Friday.

"The CBI received a source information for almost a fortnight that Mukesh Kumar, appraiser of customs (imports) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH) in Uran, along with some agents, was collecting Rs.1,200 for clearing 20 feet containers and Rs.2,400 for 40 feet containers," the official said.

According to him, a trap was laid and they were apprehended Thursday.

An amount of Rs.58,100 was recovered from Kumar and another appraiser, Amit Kumar Singh, who was acting as a middleman and collecting bribes on behalf of Kumar from customs house agents, he added.

During the raids at their houses, the ACB seized Rs.85 lakh in cash, according to the official.

In another case, the ACB registered a case against Pushp Kumar Maharaj, assistant plant protection officer at the regional plant quarantine station at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) branch located at Uran.

"Maharaj, in his capacity as inspecting Officer for issuing import release orders of agricultural products, was habitually demanding illegal gratification from the agents," the official said.

An amount of Rs. 1,25,580 was found in his possession and Rs.12,50,000 in cash was seized from his residence.