VASCO: The sleuths of Goa Customs thwarted a major attempt to smuggle gold, foreign made cigarettes and saffron and seized gold, saffron and foreign cigarettes worth Rs 16 lakh from two international passengers at Dabolim airport on Monday.
According to Additional Commissioner of Customs G B Santimano, officers of Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) headed by the assistant commissioner were performing duties during the arrival of Oman Airways WY-207, when they intercepted two international passengers, who had arrived from Dubai via Muscat in Oman Airways.
The passengers' plan to hoodwink the Customs officers was foiled and the search of baggage led to recovery of 360 gms of gold, 119 cartons of foreign cigarettes from 1 passenger, while 4.3 kgs saffron and 50 cartons of foreign cigarettes were recovered from the other passenger.
"The gold was stealthily hidden in a wrist watch and also stitched in the form of circular wires to resemble embroidery in a dress material," informed Santimano.
The said gold, saffron and foreign cigarettes were seized under the Customs Act 1962 and the total value of the seizure is about Rs 16 lakh.
