The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI), regional unit, Mangaluru, arrested a passenger bound for Mangaluru from Dubai and seized 1.282 kg of gold worth Rs 39 lakh on Wednesday.

Acting on credible intelligence that an international passenger by name Ahamed Nabeel Gaffoor, 21, from Kasargod in Kerala, arriving by Spicejet Flight No. SG-60 from Dubai in Mangaluru at around 6 pm, would attempt to smuggle gold into the country, the officers of DRI intensified surveillance at the Mangalore International Airport.

On arrival, Gaffoor was intercepted at the aircraft door, escorted to the customs arrival area and subjected to thorough checking. It was found that he was carrying a mobile phone-like object in the front pocket of his trousers. It was also found that the object was heavy and sealed from all sides.

On interrogation, Gaffoor confessed that he had concealed 11 gold bars of foreign origin inside the mobile phone pouch. On opening the pouch, it was found that the bars were cleverly concealed inside the pouch by using adhesive tapes.

The said gold pieces weighed 1.282 kg in total and were found to be of 24 karat purity. The contraband gold was later seized by the officers of DRI under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Gaffoor was arrested on charges of attempting to smuggle gold bars into the country. Further investigations are on.