The customs officials at Pune International Airport have recovered 606.83 grams of raw gold valued at Rs.17,87 lakh from a passenger who had arrived from Dubai on Sunday. This is the fourth major action this year by the customs department where the Dubai-Pune route is being misused for gold smuggling.
According to the customs department officials, the accused passenger was intercepted during his arrival from Dubai by SpiceJet flight number SG-52. A personal search and detailed examination of the checked-in baggage resulted in the recovery of 288 gold pieces which were carefully concealed in the press buttons of 48 diapers. An offence has been registered in this regard.
Custom sleuths further said that the recovered gold was seized under reasonable belief that it was attempted to be smuggled in India and liable for confiscation under provisions of the Customs Act , 1962.
The suspect, in a statement recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962, has admitted to the possession, carriage, concealment and recovery of gold under seizure. On November 14, customs department seized eight gold biscuits worth Rs.29 lakh from the life jacket under the seat of the SpiceJet’s Dubai-Pune flight as it landed at Pune Airport.
A release from the customs department claimed that Pune customs are keeping a close watch on the smuggling of gold and narcotics substances during the forthcoming festivities. A case of seizure of 52.75 kgs of marijuana was also registered on June 6 near Yerawada and investigations into the case are under progress.
{{/usCountry}}A release from the customs department claimed that Pune customs are keeping a close watch on the smuggling of gold and narcotics substances during the forthcoming festivities. A case of seizure of 52.75 kgs of marijuana was also registered on June 6 near Yerawada and investigations into the case are under progress.
{{/usCountry}}Official sources said that the gold was being smuggled from Dubai as people can buy any amount of the metal there. Once they board the flight, the smuggler puts the gold under the seat and asks his accomplice to board the same flight for domestic purpose. This accomplice later takes it away.
Deputy commissioner (Pune International Airport) Bharat Nawale stated that there is a lucrative reward scheme for the informers providing information regarding smuggling and/or sale of narcotics and tax evasion. The information may be provide to the deputy commissioner (preventive) Mahesh Patil at 020-26051846.