06 June,2024 05:59 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. File Pic
Gold paste worth Rs 78 lakh was seized by customs officers at the Pune International Airport in Maharashtra on Thursday, reported PTI. The precious metal was concealed by the accused in a pipe under the seat of an aircraft, said officials.
Based on profiling, the passenger arriving from Dubai on Wednesday was intercepted but nothing objectionable was found in his personal search or baggage examination, they said.
"Since the behaviour of the passenger was very suspicious, he was asked if he had concealed anything in the aircraft. Since his answers raised suspicion further, his seat and a few other spots in the aircraft were searched. During the search, a packet of gold paste was found concealed in a pipe under the seat where he was sitting," a Customs official said.
The 24 carat gold weighed 1,088.3 grams and is valued at Rs 78 lakh, the official said.
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Rs 13.56 crore smuggled gold seized at Mumbai international airport; 11 passengers arrested
The Customs department has seized 22.14 kg of gold valued at Rs 13.56 crore brought illegally by various passengers at the Mumbai international airport, officials said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
The precious metal was found concealed by passengers in the rectum, undergarments, on their body and a cardboard sheet, an official said.
In one case, gold jewellery was concealed under the burkha worn by a passenger at Mumbai international airport and in another case, the precious metal bars were concealed in the undergarment, an official said, reported PTI.
Gold was also smuggled in the form a bangle and a buckle worn as belt by passengers, while gold dust in wax form was concealed by a passenger in the rectum, he said, reported PTI.
In another incident, last week, the Mumbai Airport Customs Department has seized 11.62 kg of gold and iPhones valued at Rs 7.44 crore and Rs 12 lakh in cash in separate cases at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport or CSMIA, an official said, reported news agency PTI.
The action was taken in 18 cases of contraband seizure. The official also informed PTI that seven people were arrested and taken into police custody. Further investigation was underway, the official added.
