Ahmedabad: Two Mumbai-residents were arrested with 34 kg of saffron that was worth more than Rs 60 lakh at Sardar Vallabhbhai International airport on early Tuesday morning. The duo came to Ahmedabad in an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah. Mohammad Yunus and Sultama Yunus were nabbed on basis of intelligence. Customs officials said that the two had concealed the saffron in two cartons.
"We believe they are carriers and part of a saffron smuggling racket. The duo had purchased the saffron of Iranian quality from Dubai. Saffron smuggling has increased in India after production in Kashmir started declining two years back," said a senior customs official. The officials said that such carriers get Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for making one such trip.
12/12/12 Times of India
