The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Hyderabad were shocked to find the new method of smuggling gold. The authorities seized in gold in paste form weighing 1.12 kgs from the Rajiv Gandhi Airport.
On Saturday, the DRI authorities seized the gold worth Rs. 34.57 lakhs from a passenger on a Spicejet flight. The authorities intercepted the passengers on the Madurai to Hyderabad flight and checked his luggage. After a number of tests the DRI found packages with gold paste.
The officials needed to heat the paste with kerosene to extract the gold. The passenger confessed the gold was smuggled to India from Colombo. The gold was concealed in the aircraft by another associate and the passenger caught was entrusted with retrieving the gold.
In a press release, the DRI confirmed the accused failed to show proof for legitimate purchase of the gold. They further added the gold was seized under the Customs Act of 1962. The authorities said further investigation would be conducted.
In May officials seized 799 grams of gold worth Rs. 25.54 lakhs from a flight at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in the city.
A customs official said four pieces of gold in crude form were found during a search of an international flight. The official reported the flight had landed from Saudi Arabia.
The official further added the fold pieces were found hidden in the side cavity of one of the passenger’s seat. The gold was expected to be picked up by the smugglers later. This was done to evade payment of customs duty according to the officials.
