Hyderabad Air Customs Detects ingenious way of Gold Smuggling - Gold Powder mixed with chemical

By Vijay Kumar

THE officers of Customs Air Intelligence Unit, RGIA, Hyderabad, on 25.8.2015 night, intercepted at the customs exit, 2 passengers who arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airlines. The passengers were carrying hand bags and opted to pass through the Green Channel by not declaring any dutiable goods. On questioning by the officers, about possession of any dutiable/prohibited goods, the passengers denied and replied in negative. Because of the nervous behaviour and suspicious nature of the passengers, the officers have conducted detailed personal search, as a result of which they have recovered gold powder ingeniously mixed with a chemical compound made in the shape of shoe soles and concealed in the shoes worn by them. The passengers were interrogated and they have admitted the offence. The Officers recovered the gold powder by melting the chemical compound like item and made them into Gold Bars for ease of proceedings and the total value of Gold Bars seized is Rs. 88 Lakhs (approx.).