Bhubaneswar: After a brief lull, the sleuths of Customs Department Monday seized around one kilogram gold worth around Rs 33.16 lakhs. The gold was being smuggled into the country through the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here. The sleuths also seized 122 cigarette packets from the possession of an Indian- origin woman from outside the state.
Following a tip-off, the customs officials intercepted an Indian-origin lady from Maharashtra who arrived at the BPIA by a flight (AI-007) from New Delhi Airport Monday. Upon search, the sleuths found nine pieces of gold biscuits including one irregular shape gold item hidden in an emergency light in her travel bag. The seized gold items weighed 959.990 grams and were valued at Rs 33, 16,579. The sleuths also seized 122 cigarette packets each containing 100 cigarette sticks valued at Rs 1.22 lakhs from her possession. She failed to produce any legal documents regarding the source of the cigarettes or the gold biscuits.
The sleuths have arrested the lady as the seizure of gold items value crosses Rs.20 lakhs mark. The sleuths normally shortlist the passengers hailing from other states having International airports choose BPIA as the travel route from foreign destinations.. Gold costs much less in the South Asian Countries and the gulf countries in comparison to the rate of gold in India. This gap lured smugglers to smuggle gold into India illegally. The biggest ever seizure of foreign origin gold worth 1.8 crore was took place at the BPIA May 7.