Mangalore: Rs 12 lac worth Saffron seized from Dubai passenger


Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 23: Continuing on the customs saga, an operation was carried out by the customs office at Bajpe airport here on Thursday August 22, wherein they seized 12 kilograms of Saffron (Iranian made) from a passenger who arrived from Dubai.

The total worth of the Saffron is estimated to be about Rs 12 lac; the passenger has been identified as Abdul Rasheed (29) from Kerala.

The Saffron was illegally brought by the passenger as he traveled via Jet airways flight which left Dubai on August 21 and arrived in Mangalore at 7:45 am the next day.

As per the information obtained, Abdul Rasheed hailing from Mattannur in Kannur district had carried along with him three cartons via flight, which included other baggage.

During the customs scan, the officials found Saffron hidden between the clothes in the carton, after which they arrested the passenger.

Sources have said that the arrested was produced before a judge.

The seized Saffron made from Iran belongs to the ‘Begonia’ brand which is largely used to prepare bakery products and for infant feeding.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Prasheesh Kumar. S. , Mumbai.

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    Ravi Shenava & Praveen Kumaresh - Thank you for giving correct information about Byadgi Chilli to Mangaloreans who are wrongly calling it as Byari Chilli. Even in Mumbai & rest of Maharashtra this variety of chilli is correctly called as " Byadgi OR Bedgi Mirchi" and all Maharashtrians know that this variety is grown only in Byadgi area of Karnataka. The Variety grown in Maharashtra is called as 'Jawaari' variety which is similar to Guntur chilli in taste and shape.
    Byadgi is a geographical name known internationally due to this Chilli variety, but unfortunately our own Karnataka people of Coastal Area do not know the origin of the name of their own "Pride of Karnataka".

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arjun, India

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    It is high time people are allowed to carry as much saffron as they want or government import them in bulk and sell it at the same price in duty free shops on arrivals with legal means where there is a demand for saffron. It is a good herb and has many medicinal properties. Also people should be allowed to grow sandal wood trees in their back yard..what is the harm? why regulate sandal wood cultivation? of course theft will be a concern..then allow common planting in guarded open space where every resident can own a sapling if needed!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • shaikH MoHd RIzwan, Karkala

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    Dear readers,

    saffron is neither banned substance nor endanger.What is the criteria for Air passenger to carry saffron as per customs law.Can Daijiworld reflect more on this subject.

    Jai hind

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vikranth, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    Dear Mr. ShaikH MoHd RIzwan,

    Yes, as silly as that might sound, But instead Daijiworld reflecting more on this topic, the common Indian has to study the Indian Customs and baggage allowance regulations. India’s Central Board of Excise and Customs, stipulates that an Indian passenger who has been residing abroad for over one year is allowed to bring jewellery, commodities and electronic free of duty in his baggage to certian value, over and above he has to pay the custom duty and the things which are not accountable with reciepts and bills, one can face prosecution for trying to smuggle certain things. Anything above that miserly limit is taxable under the Indian law, and if you’re passing through the green channel with more than a few grams of gold on your person, well, the officer in-charge will be well within his rights to ask you to pay duty.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen Kumaresh, Bengaluru

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Before Portuguese Brought the seeds of Red Chilly to India in 15th Century, Indians were not at all knowing what is meant by Chilly (Origin of chilly is South America). Prior to that all the Indians were using only Pepper for Pungent Taste. Even Arabian Countries and Asian Countries were using only pepper. That is why pepper was so costly that it was weighed against gold just like Saffron is weighed today in grams, and Tulunadu was the main supplier of pepper to whole of India & Asia prior to 15th Century.
    Even though Portuguese brought only one kind of Chilly seeds to India, but when it was cultivated in different parts of India, its Color shape & taste started becoming different due to different soil conditions & Climate. This way Byadgi Mirchi got unique taste and colour due to unique soil of surrounding villages of Byadagi, Haveri & Davangere, which is not found in Chilly grown in other parts of India. Byadgi Chilly extract is mainly exported as it is used in food products and coloring agents.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • JN, Bejai

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Saffron is used flavoring Biryani and some kind of sweet Kheer.
    It is expensive because it is not available in Incredible India.
    Then why should government apply Duty on this?
    Days are not very far If you ring 'Onions' from Dubai you will have to pay 45% duty on this.
    Onions in Dubai Aed3.00 (equvalent of indian Rs.48/-)

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Prabhukule...
    Anchaad kelever Gottithinaklu Panper...
    'Muttere Aaapina Maathra Mutule...
    Sari Athe??!!
    Ari...Munchi
    Itthe Maatha 'Kai Chuchi'....
    Kullod Onte Easy...
    Also Baayee Muchi.....

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Pictue shown above is munchi...often we call the vareity as 'byari munchi'...right ?Bhandarkarmam more explanation sought on byari munchi.
    Now a days people say...yenchina rate maaraya... munchig kai paadiyare aapuji...ari muttare aapuji!!!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi Bhaskar Shenava, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    It is not " Byari Munchi " but correct pronunciation is - " Byadgi Munchi ".
    Byadagi is a town in Haveri district which is famous for growing this variety of Chilli. This Byadagi Chilli has got geographical Patent in the name of Byadagi Town like our Shankarpura Mallige. All other variety are Guntur Munchi. Guntur is a Town in Andhra.
    In Karnataka only in Tulunadu people mis-pronounce this as Byari Munchi, instead of calling correctly as Byadagi Munchi.
    My father was a Railway Station Master in Byadgi (Haveri dist).

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    I dont understand why this is a offence.... why should we pay tax for all these and government will loot everything and remaining they give to BPL....tax payers get no benefit.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi Bhaskar Shenava, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Why saffron should be classified as Contraband ?? It is not drug nor harmful to health. then why this restriction on Saffron ? In Karnataka we rarely get genuine saffron. every thing we get is artificially coloured petals of some local flowers.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [63] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh S, mangalore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Just because of value of this herb..Safron is one of the costliest herbs in the world..very difficult to cultivate..Iran is produces nearly 90% of worlds safron..even in gulf countries it sold in grams (not in Kgs)..10 grams worth around Rs 3000/-..Almost like Gold!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Sat, Aug 24 2013

    Every saffron is not saffron. Best saffron Comes from Kashmir and very costly better than Irani.costs like Gold.and also Comes from spain,ungarn.Its costly because These have to pluck from Hand from flowers and rare.its used every best Hotels for Chosen Desserts Food colouring all over the world.many People try to make Money by mixing it with other colours or flowers .

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    We read very often that saffron worth crores has been confiscated at Mangalore Airport.I would request the daijiworld team to find out what they did with all this confiscated item. The accused will be bailed out but where the saffron goes?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [69] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Fri, Aug 23 2013

    Image for display purpose(?) only looks like 'Red Chillies'... or anything except Saffron..!

    DisAgree [14] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalore: Rs 12 lac worth Saffron seized from Dubai passenger



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