Chennai: A Malaysian national was detained and Rs 2.25 crore worth diamonds were seized from him at the Chennai international airport, on Saturday. The arrested was identified as Ajmal Khan Bin Nagaur Mera (48), a Malaysian national who had arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Batik Airlines flight.
Sources said, based on specific information that precious stones are likely to be smuggled from Malaysia, a special vigil was maintained at the airport by air intelligence unit officers on Friday night and Saturday morning.
The smuggler, Ajmal Khan, who arrived from Malaysia on Saturday morning was intercepted on suspicion of carrying the precious stones as he was walking hurriedly in a rather suspicious manner. On being questioned, he gave evasive replies. He was taken for a personal search along with his baggage. On a search on his person, two white bundles where found concealed inside his innerwear and the same were recovered. On further search of his checked-in luggage, a brown stroller bag, a multifunction cooker was found along with his personal effects.
Sources said on dismantling the cooker, eight bundles wrapped in adhesive tapes where found concealed inside the bottom of the cooker. On cutting the 10 bundles, totally 55 white mini zip-lock pouches in which precious stones, appearing to be diamonds, were found concealed and the same were recovered.
On being questioned to whom the diamonds were to be delivered, Ajmal Khan told officials that he was to hand them over to an unknown person waiting outside the airport, who would identify him. The passenger was taken out of the airport and was watched from a distance but even after a considerable time, no one approached him to receive the consignment.
A government-approved valuer was then called to examine and certify the nature and value of the precious stones. On examination, the examiner certified the stones to be diamonds of different cuts, shapes, clarity and colour, totally weighing 2,996 carat and valued at Rs 2.25 crore. The same was seized under the Customs Act 1962, and Ajmal Khan was arrested.
