Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
With Inputs from Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 30: The officers of Directorate of Intelligence (DRI), Mangaluru, on Monday January 30 seized gold worth Rs 29 lac concealed in the lavatory of a Jet Airways aircraft operating from Dubai to Mangaluru.

Upon receipt of specific intelligence that certain unscrupulous elements were attempting to smuggle huge quantities of gold jewellery of foreign origin into the country through Mangalore International Airport by way of concealing them inside aircraft, the DRI officers rushed to the airport and conducted thorough rummaging of the aircraft under suspicion, Jet Airways flight 9W 531 that arrived from Dubai.

After an intensive search operation, the officers discovered two black pouches cleverly concealed underneath the commode in one of the aircraft’s rear toilets. Huge quantities of assorted gold ornaments comprising of necklaces, bracelets, eardrops, chains with pendants etc were recovered from these pouches. The gross weight of the gold was found to be 1,233 grams and the current market price was assessed at about Rs 29 lac.

The entire jewellery was seized by the officers for contravention of the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the said aircraft was later scheduled to fly to Mumbai on its subsequent journey and there it was supposed to be retrieved by an agent of the smugglers having access to the airport.

Further investigation in the matter along with look out for the smugglers behind the scene is underway. The event assumes importance as it happens to be the first incident of organized gold smuggling attempted through Mangaluru airport after months of lull following demonetisation.