Air passenger held for attempting to smuggle in rough diamonds

An Indian passenger has been arrested at the international airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle in 4.9 kg of rough diamonds valued at Rs 1 crore from the United Arab Emirates, a customs official said today.

Prashant Harsora had arrived from Sharjah on an Air Arabia Airline flight at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on Sunday, a Customs Air Intelligence Unit officer told PTI.

Acting on a tip off, he was intercepted and 4.9 kg of rough diamonds valued at Rs 1 crore were found in his luggage, the official said.

"The accused concealed the valuables at the bottom of a bag and also inside the cavity of a digital satellite receiver," he said.
 

He was arrested and booked under relevant sections of the Customs Act, the official said.