Mangaluru, Nov 30: The officials of Customs at Mangaluru International Airport have seized gold valued over about Rs 64 lakh in six cases of smuggling during November. The smugglers had used diverse modus operandi to bring in the contraband.
In a case involving seizure of 803 grams of gold, gold powder was mixed with a chemical to form a gum and filled into hollows of sandals worn by him.
In another case, a passenger had hidden 4 gold biscuits weighing 466.4 grams under arc of his feet, which were covered with foot bands and socks worn over it.
Another passenger intercepted was found to be in possession of 3 cut pieces of gold biscuit weighing 184.29 grams in the inner pocket of his trousers.
In another case detected, a passenger had concealed 4 gold biscuits weighing 466.5 grams in his rectum. In yet other two cases, two passengers had worn gold khadas, weighing 221 gms, which were coated with Rhodium to make it appear like steel.
M Subramaniyam, commissioner, Customs said customs officials have thwarted ingenious and varied modus operandi adopted by the passengers, while attempting to smuggle gold through MIA.
Total gold seized during the month is 2.141 kgs valued at Rs 64.38 lakh. Among the six passengers intercepted for smuggling, 3 were from Kasaragod, 2 from Bhatkal and one from Dakshina Kannada. All had arrived from Dubai.
One passenger was arrested and investigation is in progress in all the cases, Subramaniyam noted.
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