PANAJI: The
directorate of revenue intelligence
(DRI) on Tuesday arrested two persons for allegedly smuggling 3.5 kg gold from Abu Dhabi worth Rs 2.2 crore.
The officers of
DRI Goa
intercepted an international passenger, Nitesh Saini, at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, who had arrived from Abu Dhabi by Indigo flight on Monday morning.
DRI said that during the baggage search of the passenger, officers noticed that the floor spring machine (used for doors), which he was carrying in his checked-in bag, was heavier than usual.
The X-ray examination of the machine revealed a concealed material.
“As the floor spring machine was sealed from all sides, it was cut open for examination. We found that a disk and rods of solid gold weighing 3.5 kg were ingeniously concealed inside the machine,” DRI said.
DRI said following interrogation of the passenger, he stated that a person, Mohammad Rafiq, was supposed to collect the gold from him outside the airport.
Subsequently, Rafiq was intercepted in a trap set by the DRI officials.
“The smuggled gold has been seized, and both the accused were arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act 1962. Further investigation is under progress,” DRI stated.
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