Visakhapatnam: In yet another seizure of yellow metal, customs officials of Air Intelligence Unit at Vizag Airport on Thursday seized 350 gms gold from a passenger, who arrived Vizag from Dubai via Colombo in Sri Lankan Airlines flight U1-159.
This time, the smuggler made the gold into paper and pasted into the suitcase. The accused identified as Lathief Veerankunhi, an Indian national. The officials intercepted the passenger at green channel of the airport.
During enquiry while the passenger was crossing the green channel he declared that he was not carrying any dutiable goods. However, personal search and search of baggage revealed that he was carrying 14 packets of cigarettes which are more than permitted limits.
Not satisfied with his replies and his frequent travels abroad, the customs officials took him for interrogation.
During the search of the passenger’s suitcase, the upper cover appeared to be harder than usual. Based on the scanning report and suspicious nature of the suitcase cover, the officials decided to open the cover of the suitcase.
On cutting the suitcase cover, black colour adhesive taped metal objects in layer forms were found. On removal of adhesive tapes, the officials found three pieces of thin gold sheets were concealed in the upper cover of the suitcase.
According to commissioner of customs D.K. Srinivas, total gold weighing 350 grams valued at Rs 10.6 lakh along with cigarettes valued of Rs 16,800 were seized by the department. The traveller found to be from Kerala and arrived Vizag for the first time.
