Lankan bid to smuggle precious stones through condoms foiled

CHENNAI:

The Air Intelligence Unit of customs department foiled an attempt by a Sri Lankan national to sneak in semi-precious stones by hiding it in condoms and in his rectum at Anna International Airport.

The Sri Lankan national Mohammed Irfan, who arrived from Colombo by Sri Lankan Airlines flight was intercepted by the AIU, who after searching him in person found 191 semi-precious stones (Rubies, Yellow and Blue Sapphires) worth Rs 10 lakh.

Interestingly, this is one of the five cases of smuggling detected by AIU which seized a total of 76 lakh worth gold, semi-precious stones and foreign currencies during last one week.

Of the five incidents, three cases pertain to gold smuggling, one each for semi-precious stones and foreign currency.

In another case, gold worth 1.15 kg worth rs 31.90 lakh was seized from passenger K Khadar Basha, who arrived from Riyadh by Saudia Airlines. He was intercepted at Green channel and during examination the gold was found to be concealed in an Electric Hot Plate. He was arrested with two others who came to receive him.

Similarly, a Indian national Syed Riyaz Basha, who arrived from Kuwait Airlines flight Ku-343 was intercepted at Green Channel. He concealed 450 grams of gold worth Rs 12.50 lakh in the handle of kid’s scooter. In another incident, 300 grams of gold concealed in a hollow metallic rod was seized from Indian national Syed Mohammed Ali, who arrived from Riyadh by Air Arabia flight.

In a related incident, Abdul Salam Shamsudeen, bound to Singapore by Jet Airlines flight eas intercepted after he cleared immigration. During investigation, it was found that Shamsudeen concealed foreign currencies inside inner wear and checked-in baggage. The baggage consisted of Saudi Riyals valued at Rs 48,000 and 9,900 Euros equivalent to Rs 15.5 lakh.