NEW DELHI Air intelligence unit of commissionerate of customs at Dabolim airport, on Thursday, seized gold of around 1.375 kg worth Rs 37.13 lakh from a passenger of Dubai-Goa Air India flight AI-984 that had landed into the state from Mumbai. Mohammed Shaffi Ibrahim Sab (26), a native of Honnavar Karwar-Karnataka had smuggled the gold from Dubai concealing it in air-conditioned voltage converter.
As per available information from AIU sources, Mohammad was intercepted by AIU sleuths on suspicion at the exit gate of customs arrival hall. The passenger had opted to walk through green channel by declaring that he does not posses dutiable goods. However, during the course of screening, the intelligence officer felt something amiss and found three pieces of gold weighing 1.375 kg inside the core of the voltage converter.
Upon interrogation, the passenger disclosed that the air conditioned voltage converter was handed over to him by Abdullah who is said to be his brother-in-law residing in Dubai. The gold has been seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962 on the reasonable belief that the same is smuggled and is liable for confiscation under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway under the supervision of commissioner of customs Goa K Anpazhakan.