Sandal smuggling of a different kind

Customs authorities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday arrested a passenger who attempted to smuggle gold chains hidden in the sole of his sandals.

Tamboli Muhammed Rafiq Karim of Mumbai, who had flown in from Dubai in the early hours, was intercepted at the exit. Authorities grew suspicious when Karim preferred to pass through Green Channel — implying that he possessed no taxable articles.

Initially, he denied of carrying any such articles. Eventually, they found gold chains weighing 1,042 grams in the soles of his sandals.

The value of the jewellery was estimated at Rs. 35 lakh.