In a series of remarkable seizures, the Customs department at Mumbai airport intercepted smugglers attempting to transport diamonds concealed in packets of noodles and gold hidden in various body parts of passengers and baggage.
The combined value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 6.46 crore, according to an official statement released late on Monday night.
The crackdown resulted in the arrest of four individuals following the discovery of over 6.8 kilogram of gold valued at Rs 4.44 crore and diamonds worth Rs 2.02 crore over the weekend, as stated by the Customs official.
One of the incidents involved an Indian national traveling from Mumbai to Bangkok who was intercepted and found smuggling diamonds concealed in packets of noodles inside his trolley bag. The passenger was subsequently apprehended.
Additionally, a foreign national traveling from Colombo to Mumbai was intercepted and found carrying gold bars and a cut piece, totalling 321 gram in net weight, concealed within her undergarments.
Furthermore, 10 Indian nationals, comprising two each traveling from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and one each from Bahrain, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, Bangkok, and Singapore, were intercepted. They were found to be carrying 6.199 kilogram of gold valued at Rs 4.04 crore, concealed “in the rectum, on body, and inside the baggage,” as detailed in the release.
Subsequently, three individuals were arrested in connection with these smuggling attempts.
The remarkable and varied methods employed by smugglers underscore the challenges faced by authorities in curbing illicit activities at major transit hubs like Mumbai airport. Such vigilant actions by the Customs department are crucial in combating illegal trafficking and protecting the integrity of India’s borders.
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