"We have busted a major gold smuggling racket with the arrest of five persons including two officials of the Central Industrial Security Force," a DRI officer said, adding more CISF personnel are under scanner in this connection.
Explaining the modus operandi of the accused, he said the smugglers would inform the CISF officers through "carriers" about the flight they have taken and its arrival at the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport, he said.
"After alighting from the flight, they would get in touch with one of the CISF officers who would ask them to come to one of the four toilets before entering the Customs Hall" the officer said.
The bag containing gold would then be exchanged with an identical bag in one of the toilets, and would be carried out of the airport by the CISF officer. The passenger would then walk though the green channel.
Green channel is that area at the airport where passengers with nothing to declare (carrying goods within the customs limits only) can walk through.
The smuggled goods are then delivered to the "passenger" or syndicate leader outside the airport, the officer said.
On a tip-off, the DRI officials intercepted one of the CISF officers when he was carrying the bag containing the gold outside the airport last evening, he said.
"Examination of the consignment revealed gold jewellery and 2 kilo bars, totally weighing 5.8 Kg, valued at Rs 1.6 crore approximately," said the source, adding the "passenger" who handed over the bag to the CISF officer was also intercepted, besides the alleged ring leader of the racket and another CISF officer- who were waiting outside to take the delivery of the consignment.
Another passenger was held this morning carrying 4.7 kg of gold jewellery valued at Rs 1.4 crore, the officer said. (More)
