29 August,2023 06:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
The seized material. Pic/CISF sources
In a major seizure at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) successfully apprehended two passengers who were found in possession of approximately 8,800 grams of yellow metal suspected to be gold wax, with an estimated value of around Rs 4 crore, an official said.
According to the CISF, on the morning of August 29, 2023, around 0415 hours, the CISF surveillance team stationed at Terminal-2 of CSMI Airport, Mumbai, detected suspicious activities involving two individuals near Boarding Gate No. 46 on Level 3, within the domestic departure area. The team promptly initiated both electronic and physical surveillance on the suspects. During observation, one of the individuals was observed picking up a black bag from the floor adjacent to Boarding Gate No. 46 on Level 3.
Taking swift action based on their suspicions, CISF personnel intercepted the two passengers, later identified as Mohammad Hiras (an Indian national) and Mohammad Rusaith (a Sri Lankan national). These individuals were slated to travel from Mumbai to Bangalore on Air India Flight No. AI 603, scheduled for departure at 0645 hours.
Upon skillful questioning, both passengers admitted that the bag had been discarded by an international transit passenger from Boarding Gate No. 46 on Level 4, which belongs to the International Boarding Gates Area. The international passenger had ingeniously disposed of the bag by exploiting a visible gap between Level 4 and Level 3.
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Further investigation unveiled that the bag contained 23 pieces of yellow metal with an oval shape, collectively weighing around 8,800 grams. The metal pieces had been meticulously concealed using black tape.
"The CISF apprehended the passengers, Mohammad Hiras and Mohammad Rusaith, along with the 23 pieces of oval-shaped yellow metal. This contraband, valued at approximately INR 4 crore, was subsequently handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) and Customs officials for further legal action," the CISF stated in an official statement.
