Pune: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Aurangabad airport Customs officials on Tuesday nabbed two passengers who arrived from Delhi by an Air India flight carrying 3 kg gold worth Rs 95 lakh.
The accused were identified as Faiyum Shaikh and Javed Ismail Shaikh, both residents of Mumbai.
“On the basis of specific intelligence, the DRI, Pune region unit, in coordination with officers of Aurangabad Customs,
intercepted these passengers travelling by flight number AI 441 from Delhi to Aurangabad. In all, 12 pieces of foreign mark gold weighing 3 kg was recovered from them,” a statement released by the DRI said.
“In their statement recorded under section 108 of the Customs Act, the passengers admitted that the gold was smuggled in the international flight of Air India from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and was concealed in the hollow cylindrical pipe beneath the seat,” said the Assistant Director of DRI, Pune Unit.
The flight landed at Mumbai and then went to Delhi. The accused boarded the plane at Delhi and occupied the same seats where the gold was hidden.
“We recovered the gold from the Air India from Delhi-Aurangabad domestic flight, which was later concealed in the hand baggage. In their statements recorded under section 108 of the Customs Act 1962, both the passengers admitted possession, carriage and concealment of the gold,” said the officer.
Further investigation is in progress. A source from the DRI said, “We continuously screen passengers at Pune airport. Smugglers are using various modes to smuggle gold.”
