MUMBAI: The air intelligence unit (AIU) of Customs has arrested two passengers, including a Surat based diamond merchant, for smuggling gold and other valuables collectively worth Rs 1.35 crore in separate instances.
Customs officials intercepted the diamond merchant Priyank Morakhia on suspicion at the airport on early Saturday after he arrived from Hong Kong by Jet Airways flight. The Customs recovered from him undeclared 1 kg gold, 456 diamonds pieces and two wrist watches of Audemars Piguet collectively worth Rs 88 lakh . The two watches were worth Rs 48 lakh.
Morakhia had concealed the gold in his wallet to dodge Customs officials as they generally frisk passengers after asking them to remove all objects from their person before making them to pass through metal detector frame. He had kept the diamonds and watches in his shoulder bag. He told the officials that he brought the gold-diamonds for his personal use and watches for his friends. The Customs arrested Morakhia in the case and subsequently released him on Rs 1 lakh cash bail.
In another case, the Customs officials caught Surur Mohammed along with 2 kg gold worth Rs 47 lakh at the airport after he arrived from Abu Dhabi by Air India flight. He had concealed the gold in his shoes and Customs officials intercepted him on suspicion.
