Cochin Airport Customs seizes gold worth Dh80,000

On May 10, 2012, one lady passenger dressed in the ‘purdah’ (abaya) and scarf was intercepted near exit gate of Customs Arrival hall, on suspicion while she was coming out with her husband and two children, opting customs clearance through green channel.

On verification of the Passport her name found to be Smt. Benzy Mathew and has arrived from Jeddah by Saudi Airlines flight No. SV 776. Since a Christian lady was wearing purdah, it arouse suspicion. On personal search of her body by the lady officer, 426 grams gold jewellery worth Rs12.23 lakhs [Dh80,000] were found concealed under the long sleeves of purdah and scarf.

The same were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962 on the reasonable belief that the same are liable for confiscation under the provisions of Section 111 of the said Act. In her statement, recorded immediately after the seizure, she admitted that she wore the purdah and scarf to conceal the gold ornaments which she worn and to avoid detection and payment of duty.

A case was registered against the said passenger. The seizure was effected by the AIU superintendents viz. S/shri. T.B. Karthikeyan , A.D Joseph, C.V. Thampi, C.K.Gopi, Smt. Indira and Shri. L.K. Arun, inspector under the supervision of Shri.

C. Madhavan, and Shri. Nasser khan Deputy Commissioners

Dated: 10-05-2012.

(C. MADHAVAN)

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (Airport)

(Source: Central Board of Excise and Customs website)

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