Sunday, January 25, 2015

New rules at airport to curb smuggling

Kochi: With reports that officials working in the Immigration wing of the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery may be involved in gold smuggling, new rules have been put in place to curb smuggling.

The public have been prohibited from bringing luggage into the Immigration area and the portion of the airport is under strict scrutiny. “The Immigration area is very busy during peak hours and it becomes very difficult to keep a watch on every person. The new restriction is in place to improve security and prevent smuggling of gold,” said a Customs official.

Two sub inspectors placed in the Immigration wing had been arrested a week ago on charge of facilitating gold smuggling. A few days after their arrest, about 300 grams of gold was found lying unattended near the Immigration wing, raising suspicions that more insiders may be involved in facilitating smuggling. The gold was found in an area that is frequented by personnel of both the Immigration and Customs departments.
25/01/15 The Hindu
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