Two held with gold worth ₹1.99 crore from airport
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 11 2024:
Anti-smuggling unit of Customs, Imphal arrested two individuals along with smuggled gold worth Rs 1.99 crore from Imphal International Airport on Sunday.
Acting on credible information, officers from the Anti Smuggling Unit of Customs in Imphal were alerted to a potential smuggling attempt at the departure terminal of Imphal International Airport.
Upon careful inspection, authorities detained one passenger and one coach driver of Indigo Airlines after discovering illegal gold in their possession.
The suspects were identified as Maibam Priyobrata (32) son of M Lilasingh of Nambol Kongkham Makha Leikai, and A Minaketan (28) of Brahmapur Aribam Leikai.
The latter serves as a coach driver for Indigo Airlines.
Customs officers initially seized 10 gold biscuits of foreign origin from the suspects, which were hidden within their belongings.
Foilowing a thorough investigation and interrogation, an additional 9 biscuits were recovered from the suspects' possessions after several hours.
The confiscated items are valued at an estimated Rs 1,99,20,664 in the international market.
Both have been arrested under the relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962.Authorities have initiated further investigations to apprehend any other individuals involved in the smuggling operation.
Press Statement from IndiGo on February 12, 2024
An IndiGo employee discovered a passenger carrying yellow metal on flight 6E 6716 operating between Imphal to Kolkata.
A ground staff from a partner agency was found to be involved with the passenger.
We are conducting an internal inquiry and will be taking necessary action.
We are fully cooperating and assisting the concerned authorities in this investigation .
IndiGo's official statement.