PANAJI: The Central Excise and Customs in Goa Wednesday took into custody an international passenger for allegedly smuggling gold paste worth over Rs. 18 lakh at Dabolim airport, 35 kms from, an official said.
According to the official, the passenger had concealed the gold paste in the waistband of his jeans pant.
“Customs officials searched the passenger and found that he was carrying gold paste worth Rs. 18.09 lakh,” Commissioner of Customs R Manohar told reporters.
“The passenger had arrived from Dubai in an Air India flight. The gold paste weighing 590 grams was found concealed in the waistband of his jeans pants,” he said.
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The paste has been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, he added. Since April 2018, the Air Customs of Goa Commissionerate has seized gold worth Rs. 254.59 lakh and foreign currency worth Rs. 75.14 lakh at the Dabolim international airport, Mr Manohar said.
