Iranian Saffron worth Rs 60 lakh recovered from air passenger

Iranian saffron worth Rs 60 lakh was seized from a passenger who arrived here from Dubai Thursday, customs officials said.

The department's air intelligence unit intercepted the 42 -year-old man and found the contraband concealed in his two trolley bags.

"Iranian saffron of Behrang brand Grade I and Badiee brand Grade II in 25 gram pouches, totally weighing 31 kg valued at Rs 60 lakh were concealed in the bags...," a customs release said.

The passenger hailing from Thanjavur has been arrested, it said.

According to officials, smuggling of saffron has been on the rise due to high price of the Indian variety and high import duty.

In another incident, officials intercepted a passenger on his arrival here from Bangkok.

The sleuths recovered a 400 gm gold cut bar valued at Rs 13.3 lakh concealed in his underwear, the release added.