Mangalore: Golden buckle, rods seized by customs officials at Mangalore Intl. Airport

Mangalore: Golden buckle, rods seized by customs officials at Mangalore Intl. Airport

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 14, 2014 : After  detecting gold smuggling in coffee mug and LED lights, customs officials at the Mangalore International Airport have on February 13, Thursday detected yet another case of smuggling attempt, this time  in belt  buckle  and rods hidden in hair styling crimper sets.

The gold weighing 1022.07 grams  valued at nearly Rs 30.91 lakhs was seized from  Sheminadh Puthen Purayil who hails from Kannur in Kasargod.

 The passenger had arrived by an Air India Express flight from Dubai at 7.25 am on Thursday.

According to a customs press communiqué, though the officials grew suspicious while frisking the passenger with hand held metal detector,  the  latter  said he  had nothing to declare. Later  the  baggage scanner revealed the gold in the hair styling crimper. The officials scrapped his belt buckle when the gold was detected.

The  rods were wrapped in black plastic  and hidden in the tube like parts of the hair styling set. The passenger has been produced before the magistrate.

During the past one and a half months customs officials have seized 7618.01 grams of gold valued at Rs 2,28,25,769 at the airport.