Gold worth Rs 11 lakhs seized from passenger at Pune airport
Pune – The officers of customs at Pune international airport intercepted one passenger Mr Shaikh Tarique Mahmood, on his arrival by spice jet flight no. sg-52 on Thursday. The personal search of the passenger resulted in the recovery of two gold biscuits cut in 4 pieces, four small pieces of gold with oxidized plating, two heavy gold coins and one gold key chain ring having rhodium plating.
The gold were found to be concealed in form of counterfeit currency inside the wallet of the passenger. The gold key chain ring was recovered from a souvenir key chain item and was made to look like a gift article.
The search conducted by the officers resulted in the recovery of 349.93 grams gold valued at Rs. 11,07,878. The gold recovered from the passenger was seized under the reasonable belief that the same was attempted to be smuggled in India and hence liable for confiscation under provisions of the customs Act, 1962. In their statement recorded under section 108 of the customs Act, 1962, the passenger has admitted possession, carriage, concealment and recovery of the said goods under seizure. Further investigation is under progress.
The team of the officers conducting the search consisted of Deputy Commissioner K R Rama Rao, Harshal Mete, superintendents Sudha Iyer, Sanjay Somkuwar, Vinita Pusdekar, inspectors Rajendra Meena, Shivaji Valu, Deshraj Meena, head havaldar D V Bagade and SS Nimbalkar.
