KERALA: Indian Air Customs Intelligence Wing has seized 16 kg saffron and 380 gm gold from two passengers who arrived from Dubai on Air India Express flight here the other day.
The saffron was found hidden within clothes in packets. Customs officers said that the saffron worth Rs.1.2 lakh a kilogram in Dubai. The was found in the shape of handles of frying pan and heating plates of hair straighteners.
Ahamed Kabeer, 34, and Mohammed Unni, 44, both from Kasaragod, were taken into custody following the seizure. Mohammed Unni had returned to Dubai less than two months ago.
They were given the contraband by one Ashraf from Thalankara, who offered them free tickets and financial assistance.
A Customs team led by Assistant Commissioner Lokesh Damar, and assisted by Intelligence Superintendents Francis Kodankandath, Arul Prasad, U. Balan and T.C. Rajit, and intelligence officers Anant Vikram Singh, Rajeev Ranjan, Ajay Rai, and C. Pradeep Kumar zeroed in on the duo following a tip-off.
Customs officers said that the Iran-made Badiee saffron was meant to be transported to Jaipur via Mumbai, where it would fetch up to Rs.2 lakh a kilogram.
The saffron was in small packets of 25 gm each. Saffron smuggled in from the Gulf was seized from the Mangaluru airport also a few days ago.
The recent tightening of Customs on illegal gold import seems to have resulted in a spurt in saffron smuggling. Sources said that saffron, if successfully smuggled in, would fetch better profits than gold.
