Rs 1.75 cr worth gold seized; 2 passengers arrested

In a major haul of smuggled gold, customs personnel seized seven kg of the precious metal worth about Rs 1.75 crore and arrested two passengers who arrived at the airport here from Dubai.
The seizure was made at the Karipur international airport last evening following a tip-off, Assistant Commissioner (Air Customs Intelligence) S P Shyam Sundar said today.
Based on information that one Hassinar of Thailangadi in Kasargod District was carrying huge quantity of gold, customs officials questioned him when he arrived here by an Oman Airlines flight.
Though he denied having brought any gold, customs officials following a search found a bill for seven kg of gold bought in Dubai in the flight's toilet dustbin, he said.

On further interrogation, Hassinar said he had handed over the gold to his woman accomplice Dipali Vijay Maskar (39) of Mumbai, following which officials intercepted her moving in a wheel chair through the green channel.
Both the passengers were arrested, Sundar added.