Mangaluru: Officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized 1.282 kg of gold worth about Rs 39 lakh from a passenger for allegedly trying to smuggle gold at Mangaluru airport.
Officials received credible information that a passenger Ahamed Nabeel Gaffoor (21) of Kasargod, arriving from Dubai to Mangaluru at around 6 pm on Monday would attempt to smuggle gold.
The officials identified Ahamed and intercepted right at the aircraft door and was escorted to customs arrival area and subjected to thorough checking.
He was carrying a mobile phone like item in his trouser pocket but it was heavier than usual and it was sealed from all the sides. On interrogation, Ahamed admitted that he had concealed 11 gold bars of foreign origin inside that mobile pouch.
When it was opened officials found seven bars of gold of foreign origin that were intact and four bars were cut into eight pieces and concealed inside said mobile phone cover (pouch). The gold pieces totally weighed 1.282 kg and were found to be of 24 karat purity and their current market value is said to be around Rs 39 lakh.
