Mumbai car dealer and wife held for smuggling gold and luxury watches

Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have arrested a Mumbai-based couple for smuggling gold jewellery and luxury watches collectively valued at over Rs 1.06 crore from Kuala Lumpur.

The AIU detained Athar Mohammed Ishaq Shaikh (43), a car dealer from Agripada, and his wife, Farrah Athar Shaikh (39), a homemaker, after they arrived at the airport from Kuala Lumpur. The duo were booked under the Customs Act and produced before court.

Their lawyer Ravi Hirani argued that his clients were wearing gold jewellery and used old watches and alleged that the officers had valued the watches exorbitantly.

The couple were arrested under Sections 104 and 135 of the Customs Act, 1962. The customs informed the court that the investigation was at a preliminary stage and custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the larger smuggling network and financial trail linked to the case. The offence is cognizable and non-bailable.

The court remanded them in judicial custody till Monday.

Officials said the passengers were subjected to personal search in the presence of a gazetted officer, during which three 24KT rhodium-plated crude gold kada/bangles and one rhodium-plated gold chain weighing 483 grams worth Rs 66.39 lakh were recovered. The couple underwent X-ray body scans after giving consent, but nothing suspicious was found internally.

Customs officers searched three trolley bags, sling bags and a ladies purse carried by the passengers, though no additional incriminating material was found.

The seized gold ornaments were examined by a government-approved valuer, who certified the value of the recovered gold at Rs 66.39 lakh. Another government valuer assessed three old and used luxury watches — including one Audemars Piguet watch, one Rolex Gold watch and one Rolex Steel Gold watch — collectively at Rs 40 lakh. The total seizure value was pegged at Rs 1.06 crore.

According to customs officials, the accused, in their voluntary statements recorded on June 5, allegedly admitted possession, carriage and smuggling of the gold items and luxury watches.