Gold smugglers adopt novel methods

274 grams of gold, moulded into fine needles, were found in umbrellas.

Smugglers now adopt novel methods to conceal yellow metal. The string of seizures made by Customs officials at the airport from the “carriers” of gold stands testimony to this practice.

In a recent case, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs seized 274 grams of gold moulded into fine needles and meticulously inserted in the rods of four umbrellas carried by an air passenger who had landed from Singapore. The officials detained the passenger and found gold valued at Rs. 6.19 lakh concealed inside.

Another new method

It was yet another new method resorted to by ‘carriers’ to smuggle in gold through the airport from where flights to Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai are operated every day.

Customs authorities say gold in various forms was found hidden in audio amplifiers, toner cartridge of printers, compressors of air – conditioning units, soaps, hair bands, marker pens, induction stove, television set, laptop, electrical plugs and even chocolates.

These are in addition to attempts to smuggle in gold pieces concealed in the rectum of carriers, which has been a recurring phenomenon.

The latest case was that of a Sri Lankan national who was found to have concealed over one kilogram of gold in his rectum.

In majority of these cases, gold of varying quantities were being sent illegally from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, says a senior official. Smugglers have also started using different carriers to smuggle in the gold on flights operating on domestic-cum-international routes. The main person carrying the consignment from foreign destinations passes on the same to the other carriers, travelling as domestic passengers, inside the flight. The advantage is domestic passengers would not have to undergo Customs checks.

Acting on a specific input recently, AIU officials intercepted seven persons who landed in Tiruchi from Chennai by an Air India Express flight as “domestic passengers” and seized gold totally weighing one kilogram.

The money offered to the carriers to take the illegal consignment ranges from Rs. 5,000 to Rs, 25,000. It is the “carriers” who get caught while the king pins who operate from behind remain safe, say sources.

Smugglers often split the consignment to avoid arrest. Most of the seized gold has been in small quantities and arrest is made only if the value exceeds Rs. 20 lakh, says an officer. If the value exceeds Rs. 1 crore, the accused is arrested with the crime being non-bailable.

Customs authorities say stronger mechanism has been put in place at the airport to check the activity. “We are trying our best to thwart smuggling,” said another officer.