Flight diverted to Chennai airport leads to 1.3kg gold haul

CHENNAI: Passengers travelling on the Hongkong-Mumbai Cathay Pacific flight were cursing their luck that their flight was diverted from the Mumbai International Airport to Chennai due to inclement weather. However, one passenger had reason to be a little more upset.
When Jignesh Shantilal Bhalala walked out from the flight into the arrival lounge, he was intercepted by the customs officials after having passed through the green channel.
When his hand baggage was examined, gold jewellery amounting to 1.3kg worth Rs 29 lakh was found. The gold assayer certified the jewellery to be of 18 carat.
Mumbai is reeling under the effect of extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to many flights being cancelled and incoming flights being diverted to nearby airports.
Officials of Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) have arrested Bhalala and are conducting further investigations.
In another operation, gold weighing 206 gm valued at about Rs 6lakh was seized from one Shaikh Dawood Mohammed Yoosuf, who had arrived from Muscat by Oman Air flight WY0251. On searching him, one 24 carat gold chain weighing 179gm was recovered from his right shoe and one pair of 18 carat gold bangles weighing 27gm was recovered from his hand baggage.
Last week, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 1kg gold concealed inside a DVD player.
Last week, customs officials at the city airport seized foreign currencies worth Rs 42lakh which was concealed in various locations like hand baggage as well as rectum of the carriers.