Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 19: In a major anti-smuggling operation, the Goa Crime Branch arrested two men from Kerala and seized around 1.3 kg of liquid gold worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore, which was allegedly concealed in specially stitched cavities inside their undergarments.

The accused, identified as Hassan Niyaz, 35, and Muhammed Khunhi, 57, both natives of Kasaragod in Kerala, were arrested late on Thursday night at Sukhe Kulan in Dhargal following specific intelligence inputs and surveillance.

According to the Crime Branch, preliminary investigations revealed that Niyaz had arrived in Goa from Dubai on a flight carrying the contraband.

Khunhi had allegedly travelled from Kasaragod to Margao by train before proceeding to Manohar International Airport at Mopa to receive the consignment. The two later travelled together before being intercepted by the Crime Branch team at Dhargal.

During the search, officers allegedly recovered the liquid gold concealed in specially stitched cavities inside the banyans and undergarments worn by the accused. The contraband was seized after completing all legal formalities.

The recovered liquid gold weighed around 1.3 kg and is estimated to be worth nearly Rs 1.5 crore.

The accused have been taken into custody and are being handed over to the Customs Department at Mormugao for further investigation and action under the Customs Act and other applicable laws.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of SP (Crime) Rahul Gupta, with SP Jivba Dalvi and PI Tushar Lotlikar overseeing the investigation. The raiding team was led by PI Nikhil Palekar and included HC Jayesh Tari, PC Sandesh Volvoikar, PC Dattatraya Shet Verenkar, PC Subha Gaonkar and PC Jatish Naik, under the overall supervision of DIG Ved Prakash Surya.