The number of gold smuggling cases at the city's international airport has seen an over two-fold jump in 2017-18 vis-à-vis last year. According to Mumbai Customs' Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), they have seized 443 kilograms (kg) gold worth Rs 117.8 crore in a total of 907 cases in 2017-18. The total seizure in 2016-17 was 168 kg of gold worth Rs 45.6 crore from 301 cases. Out of the 443 kg gold, 166 kg of gold was seized between January and March 2017 alone.
Apart from the yellow metal, AIU officials also seized 25-carat diamonds worth Rs 3.5 crore along with 3 kg of assorted diamonds. According to AIU officials, the increase in gold smuggling has increased due to their vigilance, mainly on passengers coming from Dubai, Riyadh, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Korea and Bangkok. "There are several jewellers and other businessmen who hire carriers to bring the gold in the country from these places to make profits," said an AIU official.
The official said that gold from these countries is in pure form and not adulterated.
Foreigners' involvement in the gold smuggling is increasing and last year the AIU had apprehended 38 foreigners for smuggling gold. The official cited recent case wherein a South Korean national carried 15 kg gold on his body.
The recent trend in smuggling the gold is, carrying gold in a paste form instead of the gold bars or jewellery.
18/04/18 Vallabh Ozarkar/DNA
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Apart from the yellow metal, AIU officials also seized 25-carat diamonds worth Rs 3.5 crore along with 3 kg of assorted diamonds. According to AIU officials, the increase in gold smuggling has increased due to their vigilance, mainly on passengers coming from Dubai, Riyadh, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Korea and Bangkok. "There are several jewellers and other businessmen who hire carriers to bring the gold in the country from these places to make profits," said an AIU official.
The official said that gold from these countries is in pure form and not adulterated.
Foreigners' involvement in the gold smuggling is increasing and last year the AIU had apprehended 38 foreigners for smuggling gold. The official cited recent case wherein a South Korean national carried 15 kg gold on his body.
The recent trend in smuggling the gold is, carrying gold in a paste form instead of the gold bars or jewellery.
18/04/18 Vallabh Ozarkar/DNA
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