Customs dept seize foreign currencies, smartphones

The Customs department have recovered 17 high end smartphones, 10 gold bars and foreign currencies in three different cases at the airport here recently.

In the first incident, acting on a tip off, the officials intercepted 48-year-old Ismail Gani who arrived here from Sydney yesterday, an official release said.

Initial investigation revealed that he had 17 units of iPhone X models each valued at Rs 99,000, an official release said.

In a separate incident occurred on May 7, the customs officials intercepted Sugumaran, who was bound for Sri Lanka, and recovered USD 15,900 equivalent to Rs 10.40 lakh that was found wrapped in a newspaper, concealed in his hand baggage.

In the third incident, officials recovered 10 gold bars, totally weighing 604 grams valued at Rs 19 lakh from 50-year-old Kabeer upon his arrival from Kochi on an international flight.

The goods were seized under the Customs Act, 1962 and further investigations were underway, the release added.