Female passenger held at Mumbai airport with gold bars, bangles

In yet another case of a female smuggler the Intelliegnce officer of Mumbai Customs intercepted traveling by Jet Airways a passenger flying from Dubai. Shaikh Mumtazben Ishak who landed by 9W 527 (that lands Mumbai at 11.55pm) was intercepted based on a specific input to the Customs department

In yet another case of a female smuggler the Intelliegnce officer of Mumbai Customs intercepted traveling by Jet Airways a passenger flying from Dubai. Shaikh Mumtazben Ishak who landed by 9W 527 (that lands Mumbai at 11.55pm) was intercepted based on a specific input to the Customs department.

Shaikh is a 37-year-old female who was coming from Dubai and was then followed from the aerobridge by Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers in order to not only keep a watch on her movements but also to catch hold of her red handed. She was intercepted after green channel and search for her handbag resulted in recovery of 26 foreign marked gold bars of 10 tolas each totally weighing 3031gram valued Rs.75, 10,485 and 18 gold bangles of 11gram each totally weighing 198gms valued Rs.4, 90,622. Total weight of seized gold-3229gms, total value Rs.80, 01,107.

An AIU Official said, “The passenger is a frequent flier but she has never landed in Mumbai. This was the first time that she landed here. She is a frequent flier to Goa and Mangalore airports." The officer added, “One third of the total smuggling cases that take place in Mumbai airport since a year involve women as a smuggler. Cases of women smuggling gold have shown significance growth.”

“We had an intelligence and officers were following the passenger from the exit gate of aircraft. She was caught after she crossed green channel without declaring gold. We suspect that the passenger was to handover the assignment to an airport staff before the green channel. However, the investigations are in process and the department is yet to be clear on the case,” said a Mumbai Airport Official who did not wished to be named.

Another case of a female smuggler
AIU made another smuggling case on Saturday that had woman as a smuggler. A seizure of one kilogram was made when a gold bar that valued at Rs.24, 65,509 was obtained from the female passenger. Varsha Pankaj Solanki who was holding an Indian passport was intercepted after she was caught keeping the gold bar in her money purse that she carried. Solanki too arrived from Dubai by a SpiceJet flight SG 014 (that lands Mumbai at 7.50am).

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!