Pramesh S Jain
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI),Bengaluru Zonal Unit,has seized 1.2 kg of Foreign-origin gold worth ₹1.79 crore at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), after intercepting an alleged smuggling attempt involving baggage trolleys.
Acting on specific intelligence,DRI officers placed two passengers arriving from Kuala Lumpur under discreet surveillance.
The passengers allegedly stuck packets containing gold to the undersides of baggage trolleys before moving away from them.
According to the DRI,the modus operandi was to avoid carrying the smuggled gold through Customs themselves.
The packets were deliberately left attached to trolleys subsequently used by unsuspecting passengers to transport their luggage.
The two passengers were allegedly seen following and monitoring the movement of the unsuspecting passengers and the trolleys,apparently intending to retrieve the concealed gold after the trolleys moved beyond the Customs-controlled area.
However,DRI officers intercepted the operation and recovered 12 gold biscuits concealed in two packets attached to the undersides of the trolleys.
The seized gold weighed 1,200.40 grams,was of 999.9 fineness (24-carat purity) and was valued at ₹1,78,88,360.
The gold,concealment materials and baggage trolleys used in the operation were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act.
