PANAJI
The Crime Branch on Saturday claimed to have foiled an alleged gold smuggling attempt by intercepting two men at Dhargal and seizing around 1.3 kg of liquid gold worth an estimated Rs 1.5 crore concealed inside specially stitched cavities in their undergarments.
The two accused have been identified as Hassan Niyaz (35) and Muhammed Khunhi (57), both natives of Kasaragod, Kerala.
The CB stated that Hassan Niyaz allegedly arrived in Goa from Dubai on a Qatar Airways flight carrying the liquid gold consignment.
Following specific intelligence, the agency conducted preliminary verification and found that Khunhi had travelled from Kasaragod to Margao by train before proceeding to Mopa airport to receive the consignment.
The two allegedly travelled together before being intercepted by a CB team at Sukhe Kulan in Dhargal.
“During a lawful search conducted in the presence of panch witnesses, officers recovered the liquid gold concealed inside specially stitched cavities in the banyans and undergarments worn by the accused. The contraband, weighing approximately 1.3 kg, was seized after completing legal formalities,” it said.
The accused have been taken into custody and are being handed over to the Customs authorities at Mormugao for further investigation and action under the Customs Act and other applicable laws.
