Smuggler arrested with Rs 40-lakh gold

Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 16

A team of the Customs intelligence staff arrested a gold smuggler at the Chandigarh international airport in Mohali and recovered 1,350 gm gold (24 carat), worth around Rs 40 lakh, from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Harsh, a resident of Jalandhar. He is a businessman. He had concealed four pieces of two gold biscuits in the sole of his shoes and was crossing the “green channel” when the Customs intelligence team intercepted him after noticing something amiss.

AS Ranga, Commissioner, Customs Department, said the accused arrived in Chandigarh by an Air India Express flight from Sharjah on Saturday.

“During a search, the Customs team recovered the gold biscuits from his possession after which he was arrested,” said the Commissioner.

The accused had split the two gold biscuits into four pieces. One gold biscuit weighed around 1 kg while the other weighed 350 gm, said sources.

Under the Customs Act, officials can arrest a person carrying smuggled goods worth Rs 20 lakh or above, said the sources.

The accused was later released on bail. “Investigations are on in the case,” said the Commissioner.