HYDERABAD: Hyderabad police busted an international gold smuggling racket after detaining four persons from old city and seized four and a half kilograms of gold, Rs.16 lakh cash, 2,500 Saudi Riyals and 910 UAE Dirhams were also confiscated from them.
The accused Zafar Ahmed alias Zaki (28) of Chaderghat, Syed Wajeed (25) of Teegalkunta, Arif Ali Shaik alias Ali (40) of Mirchowk, Mohd Taheruddin alias Asif (24) of Malakpet and Mohd Feroz Khan alias Feroz (32) of Hassannagar formed into a gang and were carrying out smuggling of gold for the last three months, the police said.
The main kingpin Mohd Taheruddin, has a Western Union Money Transfer office at Shehran near Charminar. “Taher roped in Feroz who supplied the gold from Dubai through NRI’s and tourists. Once the carriers reached the city, Zafar and Wajeed would collect the gold from them and hand over to Arif and Taheruddin,” Hyderabad Commissioner, M. Mahender Reddy said.
On a tip off, the police caught them when they were transporting a small consignment from the airport. The police then raided the house and shop of Taher and seized the remaining material.