VASCO: The air intelligence wing of the Commissionerate of Customs, Goa unit, on Tuesday seized 580 grams of gold worth Rs 14.97 lakh in a smuggling attempt involving a Kerala native through Goa International Airport at Dabolim. According to officials of Goa Customs, while clearing the passengers arrived by a Oman Airways flight from Muscat to Goa, the Customs intercepted a passenger on suspicion, at the exit gate of the customs arrival hall.
“The passenger had opted for the green channel meant for the passengers who don’t have anything to declare. The search of the baggage of the passenger resulted in the recovery and seizure of 580 grams of gold strips worth Rs 14.97 lakh. The gold strips were concealed beneath the stroller bag covered with rexin fixed with adhesive tape. This modus operandi is unique in nature,” said G B Santimano, Additional Commissioner of Customs. Meanwhile, in another seizure reported on July 10, a passenger (also a native of Kerala) was intercepted by the customs officials on suspicion after he arrived by Air India flight from Dubai to Goa. Even this passenger had opted for the walk through the green channel and during the search of airport trolley provided by the airport authority of India resulted in the recovery and seizure of 348 grams of gold bar valued at Rs 9.22 lakh.
