Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 15: The officers of customs at Mangaluru International Airport have seized 824 grams of gold worth Rs 21.22 lac in four separate cases in the last few days.

In the first case, gold in the form of thin strips and one gold coin were found concealed in the waist part and pockets of the denim trousers carried by a passenger.

In another case, while rummaging an aircraft, two gold bars were found concealed under the seat cushion. The gold bars, left behind in the aircraft by a passenger who came from Dubai, were attempted to be retrieved by his accomplice on the aircraft's immediate departure to Mumbai in the domestic sector. Both the passengers were apprehended.

In the third case, two gold bars were found modified to fit into the battery slot and concealed inside mobile phones carried by a passenger.

In the fourth case, two gold bars were recovered from a lady passenger who had concealed them on her person.

The identities of the accused passengers in the above four cases have not been revealed.

In a press note, customs commissioner Dr M Subramaniyam said, "As the smugglers are changing (their) modus operandi as and when detections are made, customs officers are keeping a strict vigil on such suspicious passengers and their baggage are subjected to a detailed examination to thwart any attempt to smuggle gold and prohibited goods."

Further investigations are in progress.