2 fliers caught smuggling Rs63 lakh gold in vest, socks at Mumbai airport

The AIU officials said they are now investigating whether the accused are frequent fliers and have a history of smuggling gold...

Two Ulhasnagar residents were caught on Saturday night at the international airport for smuggling gold in vest and socks.

AIU officials first intercepted Naresh Sudhamo Matta and recovered six gold bars concealed in a specially tailored vest with 10 pockets. (HT photo)

According to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials of Mumbai Customs, they first intercepted and arrested Naresh Sudhamo Matta who had flown in from Dubai.

“The personal search of the passenger resulted in recovery of six gold bars weighing 1,698 grams and were valued at Rs51.52 lakh. They were concealed in a specially tailored vest, with 10 pockets, that was worn by the passenger,” said a high-ranking AIU official.

During interrogation, Matta confessed to having carried the gold bars for Prem, the owner of a cloth shop in Ulhasnagar. “Though we searched Matta’s Ulhasnagar residence, we found no incriminating evidence against him,” said the officer.

In the second incident, AIU officials intercepted Jeetendra Kumar Khilnani who had arrived from Bangkok. “Khilnani’s personal search resulted in recovery of two cut pieces of gold bars — weighing 400 grams and worth Rs12.13 lakh. They were hidden in the socks worn by him. He also resides in Ulhasnagar,” the official said.