DRI seizes gold worth Rs 29 lakh at Mangalore International Airport

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 30, 2017 : Sleuths from Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted an attempt to smuggle huge quantities of gold jewellery of foreign origin into the country through Mangalore International Airport on January 30, Monday by  Flight No. 9W 531, the Jet Airways flight operating from Dubai to Mangalore.

 

Sources say that way of concealing them inside aircrafts, after an intensive search operation, the officers discovered two black colored pouches cleverly concealed underneath the commode in one of the aircraft’s rear toilets. Huge quantities of assorted gold ornaments comprising of necklaces, bracelets, eardrops, chains with pendants etc. were recovered from these pouches whose gross weight was found to be 1233 grams and the current market price was assessed at about Rs. 29 Lakhs.

The entire jewellery was seized by the officers for contravention of the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Preliminary investigation revealed that the said aircraft was later scheduled to fly to Mumbai on its subsequent journey and there it was supposed to be retrieved by an agent of the smugglers having access to the airport.

Further investigation in the matter along with look out for the smugglers behind the scene is underway. The event assumes importance as it happens to be the first incident of organized gold smuggling attempted through Mangalore airport after months of lull following demonetization.