MUMBAI: Sixty-one kg gold worth Rs 31 crore was seized by the air intelligence unit (AIU) of customs in two separate cases at the airport on Wednesday night.
In another seizure that led to the arrest of two persons on Thursday, the AIU recovered 3.7kg of 24-carat gold dust.
In the first case on Wednesday, customs officials detained three Indians who were being used as carriers and seized 53kg gold. “The gold bars were concealed in waist belts,” said a source. Each of the three was carrying around 18kg gold in his belt.
Customs also detained Sudanese nationals who were travelling with the Indians and are suspected to be the mastermind of the smuggling ring. Sources said the Sudanese are believed to have a network here to deal in the smuggled gold.
In another operation, the AIU officials recovered 8kg gold and are questioning the person carrying it. Officials declined to elaborate, saying operations related to the seizure were continuing.
The AIU arrested two persons— Zeeshan Chandarki and Sadia Mulla — on Thursday over the 3.7kg haul. The seizure had taken place under a panchnama on Wednesday. AIU sources said the two accepted the gold dust was given to them in a hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by one Zameer. They were told to deliver it to a person who would contact them once they reached Mumbai. The two accused have been sent to judicial custody till November 23.
In another seizure that led to the arrest of two persons on Thursday, the AIU recovered 3.7kg of 24-carat gold dust.
In the first case on Wednesday, customs officials detained three Indians who were being used as carriers and seized 53kg gold. “The gold bars were concealed in waist belts,” said a source. Each of the three was carrying around 18kg gold in his belt.
Customs also detained Sudanese nationals who were travelling with the Indians and are suspected to be the mastermind of the smuggling ring. Sources said the Sudanese are believed to have a network here to deal in the smuggled gold.
In another operation, the AIU officials recovered 8kg gold and are questioning the person carrying it. Officials declined to elaborate, saying operations related to the seizure were continuing.
The AIU arrested two persons— Zeeshan Chandarki and Sadia Mulla — on Thursday over the 3.7kg haul. The seizure had taken place under a panchnama on Wednesday. AIU sources said the two accepted the gold dust was given to them in a hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by one Zameer. They were told to deliver it to a person who would contact them once they reached Mumbai. The two accused have been sent to judicial custody till November 23.
