Gold worth `5cr seized at Mumbai airport, 8 held

The Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mumbai International Airport seized 11.7 kg gold worth Rs 5.48 crore in crackdowns during past three days and arrested eight persons. The gold was concealed inside body cavity, undergarments, shoes, and specially designed waist belt, officials said.

On September 12 customs officials at CSMI Airport, seized 6,783 grams of gold worth Rs 3.05 crore in six different action.

“In one of the cases, two gold chains weighing 1,500 grams worth Rs 67,21,598 were seized from an Indian passenger who landed from Dubai. Gold was concealed in his undergarments,” a customs official said.

In another case, a passenger on a wheelchair was intercepted resulting in recovery of 302 grams gold worth Rs 13,54,760 which was also concealed in undergarments and the passenger too, had arrived from Dubai.

In yet another incident, the officials seized 624 grams of gold in wax form concealed in undergarments of the passenger worth Rs 26,25,905. The passenger had arrived from Sharjah.

Based on information from DRI Bengaluru, 636 grams gold valued at Rs 26,88,640 was seized from an Indian passenger who had arrived from Hyderabad. He had earlier arrived from Dubai. The gold was concealed inside his body cavity.

“Another two passengers – a woman and her son, who came on a wheelchair were intercepted and personally searched leading to the recovery of 1,483 grams gold worth Rs 64,06,331 who landed from Dubai. Gold was in the form of two tola bars and crude jewellery concealed in the clothes and shoes of both passengers,” the official said.

In yet another case, the officials seized 2,238 grams of gold from an Indian passenger who arrived from Doha valued at Rs 1,07,03,160. Gold was in the wax form concealed in a specially designed waist belt the passenger was wearing.