In four separate cases the Mumbai Airport Customs officials have arrested four persons for allegedly smuggling hydroponic weed valued at Rs 11.88 crores and gold Rs 4.24 crores.
According to the Customs, one passenger Nabeel Ahmad Mohammad Akbar Ansari, was intercepted on the basis of specific intelligence under suspicion that he might be carrying some contraband items after he had arrived at CSMI Airport, Mumbai on Saturday from Bangkok. His trolley bag was found stuffed with clothes and two pillow covers. After opening the pillow covers, a total twelve packets were recovered. The packets were found stuffed with greenish coloured substance in lumps form, having a strong pungent smell. The officer tested the same using a Field Testing Kit of NDPS substance which showed positive results for Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), a substance covered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Total 5989 grams of Hydroponic Weed valued at Rs 5.98 crore was recovered and seized from Ansari. He told Customs officials that he was getting a handsome amount of quick and easy money in lieu of smuggling the contraband to India.
In another case, the Customs officers intercepted one passenger, Ikrama Hamid Husain Ansari, on the basis of specific input that he might be carrying some contraband items after he had arrived at CSMI Airport, Mumbai on Saturday from Bangkok. His trolley bag was found stuffed with clothes and two pillow covers containing 12 packets. The packets were found stuffed with Hydroponic Weed weighing 5892 grams valued at Rs 5.89 crore.
According to the Customs sources, on Sunday, the Customs officers intercepted a staffer working at a food joint inside the airport K.L. Yadav in the airport premises for the purpose of carrying out his personal search and recovered six (06) capsules purported to be gold dust from the said staff, which he had concealed in the pocket of the trouser worn by him. On confronting Yadav admitted that all the six capsules were handed over to him by a transit passenger. The Customs officials recovered and seized 2940 grams of gold provisionally valued at Rs 2.81 crore following which he was placed under arrest.
In another case of gold smuggling, the Customs officers intercepted a staffer working with a ground handling services company M. Aamir and recovered four capsules purported to be gold dust from him which he had concealed inside socks kept in the pocket of the trousers worn by him. On confronting Aamir admitted that all the four capsules were handed over to him by a transit passenger. The Customs officials recovered and seized 1500 grams of gold provisionally valued at Rs 1.43 crore.
