Gold rush at airport: Yellow metal worth Rs 6.5 cr seized

In a major seizure, gold worth about Rs 6.5 crore has been seized from five persons, including two Kazakh nationals, who were allegedly trying to smuggle it into the country at Indira Gandhi International Airport here.
The seizure of over 25 kgs of gold was done in the past one week by the customs officials.
In first incident, two Kazakh nationals, in early twenties, were intercepted by the customs officials after their arrival here from Almaty.
"Both of them were carrying five kgs of gold each, which was seized and the duo was arrested," said Vinayak Azaad, Additional Commissioner of customs at the IGIA.

Three other persons were also arrested for smuggling gold. Besides, gold was seized from some of the passengers who had come from Dubai, Bahrain, Doha and Hong Kong.
"In all, five persons have been arrested for smuggling over 25 kgs of gold in past one week time," he said, adding that the value of the seized gold is assessed to be Rs 6.5 crore.

Besides these, electronic equipment for use in GPS and LED lights were also seized at the airport. "About 1,200 panel for use in GPS system and thousands of small-bulbs LED lights were seized from different passengers," Azaad said.

To check gold smuggling, the government has put a cap on
gold jewellery being brought by Indian passengers who have been residing abroad for over one year.
As per the new rules, a male passenger can bring gold jewellery of up to 20 gms with a value cap of Rs 50,000 and a woman can carry 40 gms of gold jewellery with a value cap of Rs one lakh. Under existing rules, there is only a monetary limit of Rs 50,000 and Rs one lakh for men and women passenger, respectively.
The Indian Customs Declaration Form has been revised to include drones in the list of prohibited and dutiable goods. It is now mandatory for the passengers to declare it from tomorrow.

Drones are generally imported by government agencies for use by the security personnel for maintenance of law and order as well as for ensuring vigil along the country's boundaries. They are also used for surveillance in Naxal-hit areas.
The customs form currently has fields for declaration of dutiable and prohibited goods, gold jewellery and bullion (over free allowance), satellite phone, foreign currency notes exceeding USD 5,000 or equivalent and Indian currency exceeding Rs 25,000.
The passengers also need to mention about meat, meat products, fish, dairy and poultry products, seeds, plants, fruits, flowers and other planting material in the existing customs form.

Further, they had to report to 'Red Channel' for payment of duty if they carry any such items.
The new rules will also apply to the members of the crew of a vessel or an aircraft and they will be allowed to bring articles like chocolates, cheese, cosmetics and other petty gift items for their personal or family use which shall not exceed the value of Rs 1,500.