Female air passenger carrying gold nabbed

PUNE: Customs officials deputed at Pune airport seized 642 grams of gold paste valued at Rs 19,98,138 from a female passenger who arrived from SpiceJet SG 52 flight on Sunday. She was carrying the bullion in her rectum.

The accused has been identified as Mariyam Mohammed Salim Shaikh who arrived at Pune airport from Dubai. Based on intelligence, officers intercepted the passenger who was from Mumbai under a reasonable belief that she was carrying contraband goods.

“After due process and assistance from the medical team, the gold paste was recovered during the passenger’s medical examination. Three capsules covered with black adhesive tape were concealed in her rectum,” said Joint Commissioner of Custom Vaishali Patange. “Upon further investigation, gold in the form of paste was recovered from capsules. The weight of the paste was 642.00 grams valued at Rs 19,98,138/,” she said.

Further investigation as per Customs Act is under progress. Passengers should report of any suspicious persons or baggage at the airport.