A huge quantity of memory chips valued at nearly Rs. 25 lakh has been seized by the Customs authorities at the Bengaluru International Airport for the first time.
Noticing the suspicious movements of a passenger, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs detained him for a thorough check of his baggage. Interestingly, the passenger identified as Jahubar Ali Jinnah (40), a native of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, was found carrying 12,500 pieces of 2GB memory chips on his person.
He had neatly strapped the contraband to his two legs (up to his waist) and was nabbed soon after arrival by an Air India flight from Singapore early on Tuesday.
Sources in the Customs told The Hindu that the passenger had obviously changed his plans to arrive in Bangalore rather than Chennai since the vigilance in that international airport had recently been tightened.
The passenger has been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act and produced before a magistrate and remanded in custody.
It is stated that the arrested man was carrying the electronic items on behalf of some big traders operating in Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai.
