Hyderabad: In most gold smuggling cases busted at the RGI Airport, the smugglers are just carriers, who are unaware of the legal consequences of their deeds.
Most carriers are lured by the smuggling mafia who exploit their ignorance of the law. They are paid Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and given an air ticket for carrying gold. Bonafide passengers are also lured to smuggle gold, officials said.
“Only after getting caught the carriers realise the gravity of their offence. They were under the impression that they will not be caught and even if caught they will be bailed out by the gang. However, nobody comes forward when these people are caught,” said a customs official at RGIA. “When we caught a woman she said that she knew it was an offence. But, she thought she can get away by paying a few thousands as fine.” said the official.
Hyderabad airport saw a surge in gold smuggling in 2014-15. The customs seized 127.67 kg of gold worth Rs 31.98 crore from smuggling rings. Forty people were arrested in these cases.
The officials said that uneducated passengers coming from abroad should be told about the consequences.
“They should not enter into arrangements with smugglers without understanding the consequences. Passengers should note that non-declaration and concealment of imported goods is an offence under the Customs Act which may result in confiscation, fine and prosecution,” a higher official said.
Customs officials said Indians who have stayed abroad for more than a year are allowed to bring duty-free gold jewellery worth Rs 50,000 in the case of a male passenger and Rs 1,00,000 in the case of a female. However, bringing gold and silver (in the form of bars or bars turned into crude designs) is restricted.
After staying abroad for six months, a PIO or an Indian national can bring up to a kilo of gold after paying a 10.3 per cent duty on the value of the gold as notified by the Centre, the officials said. If more gold is brought 36.05 per cent duty has to be paid.
