Customs officials at Cochin International Airport foiled an alleged attempt to smuggle nearly ₹2 crore worth of gold into India after intercepting and arresting a couple from Tamil Nadu who had concealed gold paste inside the stitched waistbands of their trousers, as reported in The New Indian Express.
The accused have been identified as Rifnas Hamed Mohammed Sharif (26) and his wife, Janofer Kadar Beevi Umar Farook (23), both natives of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu.
According to Customs officials, the couple arrived at Cochin International Airport on Air India Express flight IX 418 from Abu Dhabi on July 13. Acting on suspicion, Customs officers intercepted the passengers immediately after their arrival and subjected them to a detailed examination.
During the inspection, officials discovered that the couple had concealed gold paste inside the stitched waistbands of the trousers they were wearing. The concealed material was extracted and found to contain 1,353.92 grams of 24-carat gold.
Customs officials said the seized gold is valued at approximately ₹1,93,55,640 (₹1.94 crore).
Following the seizure, both passengers were arrested under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the intended recipients of the smuggled gold and whether the couple was acting on behalf of a larger smuggling syndicate.
Officials said Customs has intensified surveillance and inspections at Kochi airport to curb the smuggling of gold and other contraband, including narcotic substances such as hybrid ganja.
The latest seizure comes close on the heels of another major interception earlier this month. As reported in Times of India, in that case, Airport Customs officials apprehended a passenger from Thrissur who had arrived from Bangkok on July 6. A detailed examination led to the recovery of 5.88 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis (hybrid ganja) concealed inside the passenger’s checked-in baggage. The seized narcotics were valued at ₹5.88 crore.
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