Air Intelligence Unit today seized two gold chains worth Rs 6 lakh from a Sri Lankan national, who arrived here by a Lankan flight this evening.
The passenger, Mohammed Zarook Syed Ahamad, had concealed the gold underneath his collared shirt as if it was a normal wear in order to hoodwink the Customs Department and passing through the green channel, a Customs press release said.
This modus operandi is noticed mainly from Sri Lankans arriving from Colombo after the Indian Government increased the customs duty for gold.
Foreigners are not permitted to import gold or gold ornaments and they cannot pay duty for the same.
As per Baggage Rules, only Indian nationals are permitted to import gold ornaments and a male passenger can bring free gold ornaments worth Rs 50,000 and for female it is Rs 1,00,000.
Any Indian National who has stayed abroad for more than six months can import gold totally weighing one kg and the duty amount comes to Rs 3 lakhs.
