NEW DELHI: Airport Customs have seized precious stones, jewellery and watches valued at over Rs 2.52 crore from flyers within the last two days, according to Customs and an anti-smuggling committee functioning under the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
A public statement by FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) said an attempt to smuggle 3,200 pieces of precious stones and jewellery which have a market value of Rs 1.1 crore was seized from a passenger arriving from Bangkok.
“A follow-up search of the premises associated with the passenger led to the recovery of 196.67 kg of rough emeralds, 221 carats of cut and polished rubies, and 45 carats of cut and polished emeralds,” it said. The goods, totally valued at ₹2.02 crore were seized under the Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested and further investigation is underway.
In another major seizure on Saturday (October 11), Customs officers intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Hong Kong (Flight AI-315) at the Green Channel. “Scanning of baggage showed suspicious images of watches. A personal and baggage search led to the recovery of 4 luxury watches of Rolex, Cartier and OMEGA brands,” Customs said in a statement. The value of the seized watches was Rs 52,54,690.
The passenger could not produce any invoice or document showing lawful possession or import, the release added.
The watches have been seized under section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962 and confiscated under section 111 of the Act, it said.
The passenger admitted in his statement that he tried to bring the watches without proper documentation, the release said. Investigation is underway.
One-month seizures by Customs
In another statement on Monday, IGIA Customs said it had embarked on a mission mode against smuggling with drones, gold, narcotics and precious stones seized from September 12 to October 12.
A total of 22 persons were arrested, more than 58 kg of Marijuana/hydroponic weed was seized in nine cases; 11.3 kg of gold was recovered in six cases, while precious stones, drones & watches worth more than Rs 3.6 crore were seized. Additionally, 165 kg of narcotics seized at the airport worth ₹515 crore were destroyed.
The biggest catch of it was 6.5 kg of gold worth Rs 9 crore, disguised as chains sprayed with silver and black, it said. It was recovered on September 21, concealed beneath seats on Flight EK-514 from Dubai to Delhi. Eight passengers were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.