The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has unearthed a modus operandi of smuggling gold through nexus with an airport contract firm employee and arrested three persons for allegedly trying to smuggle into country the yellow metal valued about Rs 30 lakh.
Of the three held, one was identified as Jitin Gupta who works as senior customer service associate of M/s Global airport, a contract firm of M/s GMR at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here, a press release issued today by DRI said.
Gupta was apprehended by DRI on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday for allegedly trying to smuggle in 1.152 kg of gold brought by Surinder Pal who, after arrival from Bangkok, handed over the metal to Gupta inside the bathroom in immigration hall, it said.
The gold, valued at about Rs 30 lakh, was to be delivered by Gupta to Rakesh Verma who was waiting outside the IGI airport. "All the three persons have been arrested," the release said.
Verma is a former employee of a forwarding firm M/s GTB Cargo and Clearing in Mahipalpur.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is a joint venture consortium of GMR Group (54 per cent), Airports Authority of India (26 per cent), and Fraport AG & Eraman Malaysia (10 per cent each).
This modus operandi has brought to light the increasing nexus between the organised syndicates of gold smuggling and a section of employees of various organisations working at airports. Such persons working at the airports are lured by the syndicate as they are allowed free access to the airport and their movement inside the airport area is not routinely checked by the customs.
DRI had in November last year arrested an employee of Combatta Aviation, a firm employed at the IGI airport as utility hand (loader) when he was taking delivery of Iridium powder, used as an adulterant in gold, from an international passenger inside a bathroom of the airport.
