Another haul at Mangalore Airport: Gold found in passenger's footwear!
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Nov 14: The alert officials at the Mangalore Airport have made it tough for smugglers to sneak in gold. So far, attempts to smuggle gold into the city by concealing it in the hem of quilt covers, clothes rack, diapers and oat containers even have been foiled by the customs, immigration and DRI officials at the airport. Nevertheless, the smugglers are getting innovative, but not enough to escape the sharp eyes of authority and technology.
On Wednesday November 13, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the customs officials in a joint operation apprehended a passenger for trying to sneak in gold worth Rs 3,84,744.
The accused has been identified as Manir Hasan, a resident of Bhatkal. He arrived from Dubai by Air India Express flight.
A gold biscuit weighing 116.64 gram and a gold coin weighing eight grams were found concealed in the strap of the sandal on his right foot. A slit had been made in the inside of the strap, such that it was not visible at first glance.
It is said that the officials acted on prior information, but no gold was found on Hasan during checking. Hasan even argued with the officials and alleged them of harassing him, sources said. However, on a hunch, the officials took his sandals and passed them through the x-ray scanner and the concealed gold was detected.
Hasan was taken into custody and futher investigations are on.