Passenger caught with gold worth Rs 17.5 lakhs at Pune airport
Pune – Officials from the Customs department on Wednesday nabbed a man for allegedly smuggling 566.78 grams gold worth Rs 17.57 lakhs while coming to India from Dubai via Spice Jet flight.
The man has been identified as Mohammed Irfan Shaikh, resident of Trombay, Mumbai, who had concealed the gold in fancy hair clips, hair bands and key chains kept in his checked in luggage, viz., a corrugated box.
Shaikh had arrived by Spice Jet Flight No. SG-52 from Dubai to Pune at 04:25 am on Wednesday at the Pune International Airport. He attempted to go through the Green Channel. However, the customs officers noticing the suspicious movements of Shaikh at the arrival hall of the Pune International Airport got his entire luggage thoroughly examined. When the corrugated box was opened some metallic pieces were found to be concealed in fancy hair clips, hair bands and key chains.
“The metallic pieces were verified by the Government Valuer as rhodium plated 24k gold, total weighing of 566.78 gms and valued at Rs 17,57,018. Shaikh had attempted to smuggle the said gold in order to avoid customs duty, contravening the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962”, said Bharat Nawale, Deputy Commissioner Pune International Airport, Customs.
