The Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch of the Customs department on Wednesday busted an smuggling attempt. Mohammad Irfan, 23, who arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from Singapore on Monday night at about 11.30 pm, was intercepted by the SIIB officials who were waiting for him following a tip-off from Singapore. The officials recovered 13,100 memory cards and eight cellphones from his possession. The confiscated items were “tied” to Irfan’s back.

The items have been valued at Rs 27 lakhs in the open market. Speaking to this newspaper, the officials disclosed that Irfan is a “carrier” and is a part of a far bigger smuggling racket. Though the accused, who is a resident of the old city, claimed that his Singapore-based uncle gave the items to him, he could not explain why he was concealing them. “Irfan knew that the baggage is made to pass through X-ray scanners, but the human body is not always thoroughly checked,” said an official adding that Irfan has been booked under Sections 110 and 104 of the Customs Act, 1962.