Chennai: Gold, foreign currency, electronic goods and cigarettes seized by customs

Chennai: Customs staff at the Chennai airport seized gold, foreign currency, electronic goods, cigarettes worth Rs 43 lakh on Wednesday and Thursday. Based on information, Ijaz Khan (26) of Chennai who arrived from Singapore by a Scoot Airlines flight on Thursday was intercepted on suspicion of carrying gold. On his personal search, seven gold cut bits were recovered from his trouser pockets and 10 hard disks from his checked-in luggage. On dismantling the hard disks, circular gold bits were found concealed inside. A total of 379 grams of gold valued at Rs 15.23 lakhs was recovered. Further examination of his baggage resulted in the recovery of 1,600 sticks of cigarettes valued at Rs 16,000, 3 Sony PS4 gaming consoles, 3 Sony DVD players valued at Rs 1.70 lakhs. These were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

In another case on the same day, Aslam Nihar (22) of Chennai arrived from Dubai by an Air India flight and was intercepted by officers of Customs at the exit. On persistent questioning he confessed to have concealed gold in the rectum. 438 grams gold valued at Rs. 17.61 lakhs was recovered and seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

On Wednesday, Mohamed Ali Jinnah (35) of Ramanathapuram, who was bound for Kuala Lumpur by an Indigo flight was intercepted at the departure terminal, when he was proceeding towards the security hold after clearing immigration. As he was found to be nervous he was questioned. He admitted to carrying three bundles of foreign currency in his rectum. The recovered bundles were cut open and 11900 US dollars equivalent to Rs 8.35 lakhs were recovered and seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, read with FEMA 2015.