INDIAN Customs has seized 30 kilogrammes of gold that landed in 'diplomatic baggage' by air cargo at Thiruvananthapuram international airport, reports the Press Trust of India
Customs suspect a smuggling syndicate misusing the name of a person who enjoys diplomatic immunity, a top official said. Some 'scamsters' suspected to be in the syndicate have been arrested, said Customs Commissioner Sumit Kumar.
Airport sources said the gold was concealed in a baggage consisting of bathroom equipment. 'It came two days ago but since no one came to claim it, the bag was inspected and the concealed gold found,' they said.
Commissioner Kumar said that as the consignment was addressed to the person with diplomatic immunity, 'we had certain questions and as per normal protocol, we requested them to help us and they were kind enough to help us.
'We are also investigating some scamsters who have seemed to have misused the name of this person. We have nabbed some of them and an investigation is on,' he said.
Customs officials were also investigating whether such a method had been used for smuggling in the past. Last year, a record 550 kilogrammes of gold had been seized in Kerala.
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Customs suspect a smuggling syndicate misusing the name of a person who enjoys diplomatic immunity, a top official said. Some 'scamsters' suspected to be in the syndicate have been arrested, said Customs Commissioner Sumit Kumar.
Airport sources said the gold was concealed in a baggage consisting of bathroom equipment. 'It came two days ago but since no one came to claim it, the bag was inspected and the concealed gold found,' they said.
Commissioner Kumar said that as the consignment was addressed to the person with diplomatic immunity, 'we had certain questions and as per normal protocol, we requested them to help us and they were kind enough to help us.
'We are also investigating some scamsters who have seemed to have misused the name of this person. We have nabbed some of them and an investigation is on,' he said.
Customs officials were also investigating whether such a method had been used for smuggling in the past. Last year, a record 550 kilogrammes of gold had been seized in Kerala.
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