Ahmedabad: In spite of relaxation by the central government in restrictions on import of gold, smuggling of the yellow metal continues to rise at the city airport. In the first four months of 2015 itself, Customs and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have detected 18 cases of gold smuggling and recovered 22.87kg gold worth Rs 6.17 crore at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The cases spiked to a record level following restrictions on gold imports in June 2013 to control current account deficit (CAD). Airport continues to be the major hotspot as smugglers have been consistently held while trying to smuggle in gold bars using carriers.
Compared to 5kg and 10.7kg gold recovered by Customs at airport in 2012 and 2013 respectively, the recovery shot up to 54.82kg in 2014.
In February this year, City Crime Branch unearthed major gold smuggling racket when it nabbed three people and recovered 60kg gold outside airport. The probe in the case is still on.
20/04/15 Piyush Mishra/Times of India
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The cases spiked to a record level following restrictions on gold imports in June 2013 to control current account deficit (CAD). Airport continues to be the major hotspot as smugglers have been consistently held while trying to smuggle in gold bars using carriers.
Compared to 5kg and 10.7kg gold recovered by Customs at airport in 2012 and 2013 respectively, the recovery shot up to 54.82kg in 2014.
In February this year, City Crime Branch unearthed major gold smuggling racket when it nabbed three people and recovered 60kg gold outside airport. The probe in the case is still on.
20/04/15 Piyush Mishra/Times of India
