Customs Intelligence officials at the Kempegowda International Airport have arrested a woman who was allegedly trying to sneak in 21,700 microchips that she had concealed in seven boxes of chocolates.
The accused, Shilpa Sonawadekar, who had arrived from Dubai, was caught on June 12 when officials identified the 4 GB and 8 GB chips through the luggage scanners. They are estimated to be worth Rs. 42 lakh.
Initial investigations revealed that Ms. Sonawadekar, who had gone to Dubai on a tourist visa, worked as carrier for a gang involved in an electronic goods smuggling racket.
This is second case of haul of memory chips this month, and investigators believe that this could be a larger racket.
On June 5, Customs officials arrested Rosy Bhatia (41) for allegedly attempting to smuggle in 31,520 microchips worth Rs. 63 lakh from Hong Kong.
The chips were concealed in pouches inside her stockings.
