Mangalore: Saffron worth Rs 10 lac seized at airport, passenger arrested

Media Release

Mangalore, Sep 4: The officers of customs at Mangalore International Airport on Wednesday September 4 seized saffron weighing 10 kg, approximately valued at Rs 10 lac from a passenger.

The passenger, identified as  Abdul Shukkur Pallipuzha, a resident of Pallikere, Kasargod district arrived at Mangalore International Airport on September 4 at about 10.30 am by Air India Express flight IX 814 from Dubai.

He had concealed 10 kg of 'Badiee' brand Iranian saffron along with clothes and other personal effects inside two carton boxes.

The passenger was arrested and produced before the' magistrate. Further investigation is under progress.

Operations were conducted under the supervision of V Shreenivas Phani, assistant commissioner and were led by C N Rajashekar, superintendent along with superintendents Vasudeva Naik D, B Prabhakara Poojary, Lionel Fernandez, B A Kariappa and inspectors G Ramachandra Naidu, K T Preethi Suma, Bikram Chakraborty and constables K S Ravindra and Sowmya B Naik.

In addition, on August 29, the officers of customs at Mangalore International Airport seized about 165 grams of gold valued at Rs.3,83,000 concealed inside the baggage from a passenger.

The passenger was Anwar Sadath, a resident of Kollambady, Kasaragod, who arrived at Mangalore International Airport on August 29 by Air India Express flight IX814 from Dubai at 9.45 am. Further investigation is under progress.

Based on credible intelligence, the commissioner of customs, Mangalore, D Purushotham, IRS on August 28 directed and guided the customs special preventive to conduct preventive operation/examination of baggages of certain persons travelling by the Air India Express Flight IX814 and Air India Express flight IX384.

The search resulted in the seizure of 20 gold chains weighing 173 grams valued at Rs 4,23,850 concealed in extension cord box belonging to Abdul Rahiman Kunhi who arrived from Dubai, and another seizure from Abdul Rahiman Kunnil who was trying to clandestinely clear 50 cartons of high value cigarettes without having statutorily required pictorial warning on the packs and 5,000 sachets of RMD Gutkha, both items prohibited under law.

Both the operations were conducted under the supervision of V Shreenivas Phani, AC (CSP) and were led by Egbert Pereira, superintendent, CSP, and ably assisted by Rakesh Kumar, Ajay Aiyappa P S, G V Chalapathy, inspectors and M V Hiremath, constable. The investigation is in progress.

Further, commissioner D Purushotham expressed his deep concern regarding the increasing trends in smuggling and directed the officers to intensify the vigilance and surveillance and crack the attempts made by the unscrupulous elements who are indulging in these activities.