VASCO: The air intelligence unit seized 1.380 kg of crude gold worth Rs 33.5 lakh that was being smuggled by a Honavar, Karnataka native through Dabolim International Airport on Thursday. Commissioner of Customs K Anpazhakan stated that the smuggler Mohammed Shaffi Ibrahim Sab travelled to Goa by flight AI-984 from Dubai via Mumbai. He arrived at around 5 am and was detained on suspicion by custom officials. “While screening the luggage, an officer noticed something concealed in an AC voltage converter and decided to open the same. This led to the seizure of three gold pieces valued at Rs 37.12 lakh,” said Anpazhakan. He continued, “During interrogation, Mohammed revealed that the AC voltage converter was given to him by his brother-in-law Abdulla, who is a resident of Dubai. The gold was seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act 1962 on the reasonable grounds that the same is smuggled, and hence, is liable for confiscation under Section 111 of the Act. The passenger has been arrested and further investigation is in process.” In the last 30 days, custom officials have seized several kilos of gold, which were valued at crores of rupees on five occasions. On August 28, 26, 11, 3, they seized gold from international passengers, and in all cases, the passengers had arrived by an Air India flight from Dubai.
