'High-flying' gold racket grounded

In a major operation, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths on Sunday busted a gang which was using international flights which go on domestic lines after arriving in India, for smuggling gold and seized 500 gm of the yellow metal.

On the basis of credible intelligence, the officers of the DRI, Mangalore, intercepted a passenger Meethala Kallulla Parambath Nazar of Kozhikode who arrived by Jet Airways No 9W 531 from Dubai to International Airport, Mangalore, on Sunday morning.

Upon enquiry, it was revealed that he had concealed five gold biscuits (about 500 gms) under his seat and that the gold would be carried by another passenger, namely, Paivalike Ahamed Ali of Kasaragod, to Mumbai in the same flight from Mangalore to Mumbai.

Immediately, the Air Intelligence unit at Mumbai was alerted. The officers at Mumbai intercepted Ali who retrieved the gold on prior arrangement and seized the yellow metal.

The duo have reportedly revealed that they have operated from different airports in India and Dubai. By detecting this concealment in the aircraft and transiting by domestic flight, the DRI sleuths busted a clever modus operandi.

Meanwhile, a total of three gang members have been arrested at Mangalore and in Mumbai on Sunday. Further investigations are on. This is the first case detected by DRI, Mangalore.