Air India pilot held for smuggling gold bars worth Rs 15.65 lakh

Mumbai: A senior Air India pilot was detained by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) here for smuggling Rs 15.65 lakh worth of gold bars, which he had kept inside his checked-in hand baggage at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

In the light of recent instance of smuggling by crew member of the airlines, high level of surveillance has been kept by airport customs staff on passengers and crew.

This proactive approach by customs resulted in the seizure of seven gold bars totally weighing 530 grams valued at Rs. 15,65,567/- (rupees fifteen lakhs sixty five thousand five hundred sixty seven only) from the pilot.

The accused pilot was attempting surreptitious removal of the said gold bars by concealing the same in his checked in baggage and hand baggage, which was recovered and seized under the provisions of the customs act, 1962.

In his statement recorded under section 108 of the customs act, 1962, the pilot has admitted possession, carriage, concealment and recovery of the said gold bars which were being smuggled into India without payment of proper customs duty and in contravention of the provisions of the customs act, 1962.