Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officials have arrested a staffer working at a catering store at the airport for allegedly smuggling gold worth Rs 1.39 crore. The arrested person has been identified as A.A. Alvares, a resident of Chakala, Andheri.
According to the Customs sources, on the basis of spot profiling, the customs officers spread over areas near the departure gates of departure area at CSMI Airport and kept discreet watch.
Gold Hidden in Socks Kept in Trouser Pocket
After some time, the officers intercepted Alvares, staffer of a catering store situated at the airport premises. Alvares was caught near a washroom situated in Departure Hall and accompanied him back to the said Washroom for the purpose of carrying out his personal search and recovered four capsules purported to be containing gold in dust from the said staff, which he had concealed inside a socks kept in the pocket of the trousers worn by him, agency sources said.
Accused Claims Gold Was Handed Over by Transit Passenger
"On confronting Alvares admitted that all the four capsules containing gold were handed over to him by a transit passenger. Thereafter, the Customs officers escorted Alvares for the purpose of tracing the said transit passenger. However, he could not be traced. Total 1510 grams of gold valued at Rs 1.39 crore has been seized," said a Customs source.
Staffer Confesses to Smuggling for Monetary Gain
The Customs officials them recorded statement of Alvares wherein he had admitted to have possession, concealment, carriage and recovery of seized goods. In his statement the staff had admitted that he was involved in smuggling of the said gold in lieu of monetary consideration, following which he was placed under arrest.
