KOLKATA: In the biggest haul of smuggled items at the Netaji Subhas Airport, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in the wee hours here the other day seized Rs 30 crore worth of items. It was mostly electronic items along with gold and a precious metal called rhodium being carried by 60 passengers who travelled from Thailand to Kolkata. KVS Singh, ADG DRI of Kolkata zone, said that acting on specific intelligence, officers of DRI intercepted six passengers who arrived in Kolkata at 12.
By a Thai Airways flight — TG 313. When their baggage was searched, electronic goods like iPhones, high-end watches, laptops and memory cards valued over Rs 2.2 crore were recovered in addition to 800 gm of gold valued at Rs 80 lakh.
On further probe, names of 54 more passengers emerged. The DRI officers then cordoned off the arrival lounge and identified the passengers in question. On further search, more electronic items spilled out.
According to officers, the cumulative value of seized goods was Rs 30 crore. “Initially, we thought the value was Rs 5 crore but after detailing it went up to Rs 30 crore. This is easily the largest haul in Kolkata airport so far,” he added.
According to DRI, there were Iphone 4,5 and 6. Besides, there were watches like Rado, Longines and other high-end brands. “Some passengers were carrying items worth Rs 90 lakh,” a DRI official added.
