VASCO
The Customs officials at Dabolim airport nabbed a native of Karnataka with 4.5 kgs of saffron on Monday morning.
According to a press note released by the Commisssioner of Customs R Manohar, a Karnataka native, who came come down from Dubai via Muscat in Oman Airways, landed at Dabolim airport at about 4 am and opted to take the green channel for clearance in a failed attempt to smuggle the saffron.
During the frisking, saffron was found with him and it was seized under the provisions of the Custom Act.
The authorities have valued the saffron at about Rs 1.5 lakh per kilo. The value of the saffron in retail markets can be upto Rs 2.5 - 3 lakh per kg depending on purity and grade. The price can also shoot up during festive season in retail market, stated the press note.
Additional Commisssioner of Customs G Santimano, informed that this is the second incident in a week's time as earlier a Mumbai-based native was arrested with 10 kgs of saffron. The press note stated that they suspect more cases of saffron detection in the coming festive season, as it is used in preparation of sweets, etc, and also the price in retail shoots up during the season.
The Customs officials at Dabolim airport nabbed a native of Karnataka with 4.5 kgs of saffron on Monday morning.
According to a press note released by the Commisssioner of Customs R Manohar, a Karnataka native, who came come down from Dubai via Muscat in Oman Airways, landed at Dabolim airport at about 4 am and opted to take the green channel for clearance in a failed attempt to smuggle the saffron.
During the frisking, saffron was found with him and it was seized under the provisions of the Custom Act.
The authorities have valued the saffron at about Rs 1.5 lakh per kilo. The value of the saffron in retail markets can be upto Rs 2.5 - 3 lakh per kg depending on purity and grade. The price can also shoot up during festive season in retail market, stated the press note.
Additional Commisssioner of Customs G Santimano, informed that this is the second incident in a week's time as earlier a Mumbai-based native was arrested with 10 kgs of saffron. The press note stated that they suspect more cases of saffron detection in the coming festive season, as it is used in preparation of sweets, etc, and also the price in retail shoots up during the season.
