Mumbai: Three passengers were arrested from Mumbai International airport for allegedly trying to smuggle in 2.86 kg gold worth Rs 68 lakh from Dubai in three separate cases, a customs official said today.
The seizure was made during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, he said.
According to the customs, after banks stopped selling gold coins and import duty on it hiked from 6 to 8 per cent, there has been a spurt in demand for the metal prompting people to smuggle.
A passenger Modi Umar Isha (45) from Jamnagar was intercepted last night and 932 grams gold valued at Rs 22.12 lakh was found concealed in a television. Modi arrived in Mumbai in a Jet airways flight from Dubai.
In the second case, a passenger Surani Imtiyaz Jikar (22) from Jamnagar was intercepted at the airport last night and same quantity of gold valued at Rs 22.12 lakh was found concealed in a television. Jikar also arrived from Dubai but in an Emirates Flight.
In the third case, one Shamseen Thayyullathil (32) from Calicut of Kerala was stopped at the airport and one kg gold biscuit worth Rs 23.74 lakh was found concealed in his undergarments. He also arrived here from Dubai in an Emirates Flight.
The three passengers were arrested for trying to smuggle in gold, the official said.
PTI
