Hyderabad: In the last five months, nearly 50 kilos of gold in the form of biscuits, bars, chains and bracelets were recovered from over 75 passengers, including women by the customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad.
On Wednesday itself, cases were registered against seven passengers for carrying 3.74 kg pure gold concealed in rectangular pipes of a suitcase base and also mobile phone chargers. Three women passengers among them were carrying 1.64 kg gold concealed in their garments and in the lining of suitcase metal frame.
The total value of smuggled gold in these seven cases is estimated to be Rs.1.16 crore, customs authorities said. Apparently, the authorities were successful in nabbing those trying to smuggle in gold through profiling of passengers like studying their behavioural patterns, details in the passport, origin of passengers, travelling frequency and detailed examination of their baggage.
“Inputs given by personnel of Customs Overseas Intelligence Unit are also helping us trace the smugglers,” a senior official said. Officers posted at Dubai, London, France, USA and China get information about purchases of more than 10 kg of gold and it is passed on to either the customs officials or the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
06/03/14 M Srinivas/The Hindu
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On Wednesday itself, cases were registered against seven passengers for carrying 3.74 kg pure gold concealed in rectangular pipes of a suitcase base and also mobile phone chargers. Three women passengers among them were carrying 1.64 kg gold concealed in their garments and in the lining of suitcase metal frame.
The total value of smuggled gold in these seven cases is estimated to be Rs.1.16 crore, customs authorities said. Apparently, the authorities were successful in nabbing those trying to smuggle in gold through profiling of passengers like studying their behavioural patterns, details in the passport, origin of passengers, travelling frequency and detailed examination of their baggage.
“Inputs given by personnel of Customs Overseas Intelligence Unit are also helping us trace the smugglers,” a senior official said. Officers posted at Dubai, London, France, USA and China get information about purchases of more than 10 kg of gold and it is passed on to either the customs officials or the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
06/03/14 M Srinivas/The Hindu
