Gold worth Rs 2.58 cr seized at Amritsar airport

Customs officials at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport seized 1,676 grams of 24-carat gold worth approximately Rs 2.58 crore from a passenger travelling to Kuala Lumpur on a Malaysia Airlines flight on Friday.

According to officials, the passenger was scheduled to board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-119 from Amritsar to Kuala Lumpur when he was intercepted by Customs officials on suspicion. During a detailed examination, including a personal search and inspection of his baggage, officials recovered the gold concealed in the form of a kada and a gold biscuit.

Customs authorities said the recovered gold weighed 1,676 grams and had an estimated international market value of around Rs 2.58 crore. The contraband was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act.

The passenger was subsequently arrested and further investigations are underway to ascertain the source and intended destination of the smuggled gold.

Meanwhile, the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Amritsar, destroyed 11,58,780 seized cigarette sticks worth approximately Rs 2.11 crore at the premises of Amritsar Envirocare Systems Private Limited.

Officials said the confiscated cigarettes were incinerated in accordance with prescribed environmental and safety norms.