Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has detained four persons, including an Air India cabin crew member, at Mumbai International Airport for gold smuggling, in the wee hours on Thursday. DRI feels that smugglers are increasingly opting for safe arrangements, like using crew members or contract staff at the airport to get rid out from security checking.
Mumbai-based Siddesh Patil has been an operating cabin crew on contract of Air India 985/986 of January 21 and 22. Siddesh and three other persons were apprehended by officials of DRI in connection with exchanging crude gold jewellery and pieces from one lady passenger who arrived by Oman Air flight to Mumbai.
DRI seized the smuggled gold having total weight of 6.8 kg with valuation approximately Rs 2 crore. According to DRI sources, among four of them, one purchased gold in the UAE, he handed over to a lady passenger who was also a carrier. She landed on Mumbai Airport with the gold and handed over to Air India crew member - who took it out of Airport and handed over to the receiver waiting outside the Airport.
"Because of having a special staff privilege, Siddesh was able to take this gold out concealed in his bag," DRI source said.
23/01/15 Shrimi Choudhary/Daily News & Analysis
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Mumbai-based Siddesh Patil has been an operating cabin crew on contract of Air India 985/986 of January 21 and 22. Siddesh and three other persons were apprehended by officials of DRI in connection with exchanging crude gold jewellery and pieces from one lady passenger who arrived by Oman Air flight to Mumbai.
DRI seized the smuggled gold having total weight of 6.8 kg with valuation approximately Rs 2 crore. According to DRI sources, among four of them, one purchased gold in the UAE, he handed over to a lady passenger who was also a carrier. She landed on Mumbai Airport with the gold and handed over to Air India crew member - who took it out of Airport and handed over to the receiver waiting outside the Airport.
"Because of having a special staff privilege, Siddesh was able to take this gold out concealed in his bag," DRI source said.
23/01/15 Shrimi Choudhary/Daily News & Analysis
