Four held at airport while trying to smuggle in saffron, gold

Four passengers returning from Dubai and Abu Dhabi were today arrested from Mumbai international airport for allegedly trying to smuggle in 22 kg saffron and 219 gram gold collectively valued at Rs 28.67 lakh, Customs officials said.
Acting on a tip-off received by the Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs that three passengers would arrive in Mumbai from Dubai in two different flights, carrying saffron and gold, checking was intensified at the airport.
Farook Junas, who arrived from Dubai on an Indigo flight at 1:00 AM, was intercepted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport, an official said.
On checking his luggage, 10.85 kg saffron worth Rs 8.68 lakh was found, the official said, adding, "Farook was subsequently arrested."

In the second seizure, Juber Junas Gandhar, who arrived from Dubai on an Air India flight at 4:00 AM, was intercepted after he was found carrying 11.25 kg saffron wrapped in a blanket. The value of the saffron was estimated at Rs nine lakh. The accused was later arrested.
In the third case, Sanghar Sultan Gani, who arrived from Dubai on the same flight, was stopped and 190.5 gram gold worth Rs 5.16 lakh was found in his luggage. The yellow metal was meticulously concealed in an electronic item, the official said, adding that the accused was held.

According to Customs, all three are construction workers and the consignments were handed over to them at Dubai while they were returning to India. The three were lured with commission and asked to deliver them in Gujarat.

In another case, Basheer Mohammed Rehman, who arrived from Abu Dubai on an AI flight today, was intercepted and two gold bars weighing 10 grams each and valued at 5.83 lakh were recovered from him.
The accused was also found smuggling in banned cigarettes worth Rs 34,400. The accused was subsequently arrested, the official said.