Passenger held for trying to smuggle Rs 10.5 lakh saffron

An Indian passenger was arrested at Mumbai international airport for allegedly trying to smuggle in 15 kgs of saffron valued at around Rs 10.50 lakh from Dubai, a customs official said today.
The accused, Abdul Naishad Thalangara, holding an Indian passport, had been intercepted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport on Sunday and upon frisking, the branded saffron was found, the official added.
According to the official, Thalangara landed at the airport from Dubai on flight No AI 984 and passed through the green channel.
However, following suspicion he was intercepted. The examination of his baggage resulted in recovery of 15 kgs of saffron valued at Rs 10.50 lakh, the official added.

During questioning, Thalangara confessed to the crime and subsequently he was arrested after being booked under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962.
Passengers are not allowed to import anything in commercial quantities, unless it is via the cargo division.
Most of the saffron that is smuggled into India is of Iranian origin. The nature of saffron is such that it is difficult to detect in the baggage, the official added.