MUMBAI: The Mumbai Customs Zone-I seized 38 kg of gold on Wednesday while it was being smuggled from Thailand through the sea route at Mumbai Port. The gold was detected in a consignment declared as unbranded slippers. “This is one of the biggest interceptions of gold in India in the recent past. We usually do not see this quantity of gold coming in at one time. The matter is under investigation now,” said a senior customs official.
The Container Scanning Division found the container’s image inconsistent with its declaration and weighed 3.88 metric tons more. On investigation they found gold bars concealed in the soles of the slippers at the end of the container. “Considering recent cases detected at various other ports, the customs department had heightened the vigil and had started profiling the import consignments. Senior officers including the Commissioner had visited the port to oversee the initiative,” read the press release.
