By TIOL News Service

MANGALORE, JAN 15, 2020: IN one of the biggest seizure of gold of the decade in Mangalore, 5 Kgs and valued at Rs. 2 Crores was seized at the Air Cargo Complex, Mangalore. Acting on a tip-off the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Bangalore and Mangalore in a co-ordinated effort unraveled a unique modus operandi of smuggling of gold through Air Cargo Complex, at old airport, Bajpe Mangalore.

The smuggled gold was concealed in five metal sprockets which were imported by M/s Swaroop Mineral Pvt Ltd of Udupi in the name of “mining conveyor drive chain”. The gold was deftly concealed inside the heavy metal sprockets by way of a groove and gave only slight hint of tampering on physical examination. The scanning of the said wheels added to the suspision and finally the officers could retrieve the gold with the help of local mechanic and lathe machine at Bajpe. On examination by the authorized Jeweller, five round plates weighed 4995 grams by net weight after discounting the weight of aluminium coating. The gold was gold pieces were found to be of 24 Karat purity and their current market value was placed at around Rs two Crores. The contraband gold was later seized by the officers of DRI under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The active director of M/s. Swaroop Mineral Resources, Mr Manohar Kumar Poojari, involved in the case was arrested at Bangalore on the same day in a co-ordinated effort by DRI Bangalore. Mr Lohith Shriyan, a person hailing from Ashoknagar looking after the logistics of smuggling was also arrested by DRI Mangalore.

In another case, the Customs at the Mangalore Airport and the DRI, on receipt of tip-off, rummaged an aircraft and discovered two black colored pouches cleverly concealed underneath the commode in one of the aircraft’s rear toilets. Huge quantities of assorted gold ornaments comprising of necklaces, bracelets, eardrops, chains with pendants etc. were recovered from these pouches whose gross weight was found to be 1233 grams and the current market price was assessed at about Rs. 29 Lakhs. The entire jewellery was seized by the officers for contravention of the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the said aircraft was later scheduled to fly to Mumbai on its subsequent journey and there it was supposed to be retrieved by an agent of the smugglers having access to the airport. Further investigation in the matter along with look out for the smugglers behind the scene is underway. The event assumes importance as it happens to be the first incident of organized gold smuggling attempted through Mangalore airport after months of lull following demonetization.