Mumbai airport Customs, in the last four days, have seized 12.74 kg of smuggled gold worth Rs 8.17 crore. Nearly 21 air passengers were found smuggling gold concealed as gold dust in wax, gold-layered clothes, crude jewellery, gold bars inside water bottles, in the rectum and on their bodies.
In different cases between April 29 and May 2, where the amount of seized foreign origin smuggled gold exceeded Rs 1 crore, Customs officials have arrested six passengers.
According to the Customs department, one accused is an Indian national working as a contractual staff at the airport. He was intercepted by the CISF and handed over to Customs and 24 carat gold dust in wax form (eight pieces) weighing 2,580 grams was found concealed in his water bottle. The passenger he was assisting was arrested too.
Similarly, in another case, four Indian nationals travelling from Dubai were intercepted and found carrying 3,335 grams of gold concealed inside undergarments and clothes worn by them and in their rectum. All four were arrested.
Six gold bars weighing 1,500 grams were recovered from Air India flight AI-910 from pipes below the seat, said an officer.
Besides, the Customs also intercepted 15 Indian nationals of which 10 travelled from Dubai, two from Muscat, one each from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Jeddah to India. They were found carrying 5,323 grams of gold. They concealed the precious metal in their undergarments, in their jeans pockets, in the basket of airport baggage trolley, on the body and in the rectum, a Customs official said.
Customs officials also intercepted an Indian national travelling from Dubai and found smuggling assorted high-value goods. Nine iPhones and other electronic goods concealed inside handbags and checked-in luggage valued at Rs 14.21 lakh were recovered from him.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 04-05-2024 at 23:14 IST
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