MUMBAI: In seperate incidents on Saturday, Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs department at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai caught two flyers with gold worth Rs 79.88 lakh.
In the first case, the flyer arrived from Riyadh by Jet Airways (9W523) had cleverly concealed in the compressor of a water dispenser. Interestingly, the AIU unit had to call an electrician to cut open the compressor after the flyer refused to open the water dispenser after being asked by the customs officers.
The recovered items comprised 17 gold bars of 10 tola each, 3 gold coins and one gold pendant. The entire consignment was valued to be worth Rs 47.10 lakh.
Another flyer, who arrived at Mumbai airport from Dubai via Spicejet (SG 14) flight was arrested for trying to smuggle the 10 tola gold bars, weighing 1.399 kg and valued at Rs 32.79 lakh.
The AIU officials confirmed that both passengers were arrested and the officials were in the process of lodging a case against them. The AIU successfully managed to seize a total of 3.40 kg gold worth Rs. 79.88 lakh in the overnight haul, added the officials.
