KOCHI:Apart from clothes and computer hardware, gold and silver are also being smuggled to the state by evading commercial tax. Officials of the Commercial Taxes Department said it is very difficult to detect the tax evasion in this segment.
According to Joshy E I, Assistant Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Department, people bringing in gold keep changing their modus operandi. The smugglers often use cars and small vehicles to bring in these precious metals. “We have seized gold on several occasions, but it’s very hard to detect. The gold can be brought hidden in small bags. It is not possible to stop each and every car and check the baggage,” he said. Gold is mostly brought in form of bullions. Sometimes they are smuggled in the form of ornaments. The gold is then supplied to jewellery shops. “It is quite clear that gold is being brought from North India for being sold here. Since the demand for gold is high, such illegal methods are used to create more profit,” the official said.