CISF seizes Rs 6 lakh gold hidden in smuggler's trousers

Mumbai: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) intercepted a passenger after he arrived from Riyadh to Mumbai and seized 232 gram gold worth Rs 6.33 lakh from his possession. The said person was set to fly to Mangalore from Mumbai, before which he was apprehended.

The gold was concealed in a specially created hollow space in the trousers in the belt buckle area, officials said.

The passenger identified as Ashraf Sarvadaka, had an Indian passport. He was apprehended at around 1.10 pm after he arrived by a private airline. The officials said that the passenger was frisked and luggage was checked that led to the seizure.

“Sarvadaka was supposed to fly to Mangalore. While he was been frisked by AIE Manoj Kumar, two gold biscuits weighing around 232 gms (116 gram each) were found concealed in a specially created hollow space in his trousers,” said an air intelligence unit (AIU) officer.

Soon after the seizure, the Sarvadaka was detained and handed over to AIU of customs for further action, along with the gold biscuits, passport and boarding pass.

The approximate value of the seized gold was ascertained to be Rs 6.33 lakh.  A case of undeclared gold smuggling has been registered against the passenger and future investigation is underway. The gold was concealed in a specially created space in his trousers. Security is yet to ascertain if this is the new modus operandi.