Customs Commissionerate, Ludhiana fully committed for prevention of smuggling activities at airport: A S Ranga

Ludhiana, October 12, 2019: The Chandigarh International Airport, Mohali (CHIAL), is operative since September 15, 2016. Presently, there are 9 international flights from Dubai and Sharjah per week and there is arrival of approximately 1500 passengers in a week.
According to an official release issued by A.S.Ranga, Commissioner, Customs Commissionerate, Ludhiana, the Customs staff posted at Chandigarh airport is well equipped to curb the activities of smuggling of any goods. The airport is now having the advanced passenger information system (APIS) which helps in profiling of passengers. Latest Door Scanners, Hand-held Metal Detectors and XBIS system (X-Ray) are already installed at the airport for thorough examination of passengers and luggage. The staff is being trained in the work of passenger profiling with the objective of curbing the smuggling activities.
He added that in the initial years, i.e 2016-17, one case of smuggling of 250 gms. of gold valued at Rs.6.3 Lacs was detected. Due to dedicated efforts put forth by the vigilant Customs staff working at the airport, in the year 2017-18 as many as 25 cases of smuggling of 14.993 Kgs. of gold valued at Rs. 4.30 Crores were detected. In the year 2018-19, there was seizure of 10.743 Kgs. of gold valued at Rs.3.29 Crores.
Further, he revealed that in the current financial year, upto Sept., 2019, 9.57 Kgs. of gold valued at Rs.3.08 Crores was seized. It is noteworthy that due to the concerted efforts, an amount of Rs.13.92 Crores in respect of 44.5 Kgs. of seized gold disposed off by the department has been deposited in the Govt. exchequer upto Sept., 2019. Further, auction proceedings in respect of 24 Kgs. of seized and confiscated gold valued at Rs.7.36 Crores approx. are in progress. As many as 12 persons have been arrested for gold smuggling at the airport. Prosecution proceedings under Section 9 of the Customs Act, 1962 have been initiated in 11 cases. The information of gold seizure cases is also shared with REIC (Regional Economic Intelligence Committee). The Income Tax Department usually utilizes this information to probe the funding source of smuggled gold.
Ranga said the modus operandi adopted by the passengers for smuggling of gold has been analysed. It was observed that gold biscuits or items of gold had been concealed by the passengers in private parts/baggage/handbags/suitcases/iron press/wallet/parts of vacuum cleaner/under the insole of shoes/as gold foil in tiffin box/disguised as nickel coated articles shaped as washers/ringlets/jewellery/buttons/beads etc. and as gold buckle/chain & kada worn by the passengers and concealed under clothing/tied with waist in cloth bag (potli). Another modus operandi has been detected wherein international passengers are taking domestic connected flights to Chandigarh airport and leaving gold under their seats to be taken by other passengers travelling as domestic pax in the same aircraft.
He said the investigations revealed that smuggling is done due to high purity and lesser price of gold at Dubai & Bangkok as compared to Indian market. There is price difference of Rs.3-4 Lakhs per kg. of gold. The smugglers disguise themselves as genuine passengers to escape the examination by Customs officials and payment of customs duties. It is due to high alert and vigilance of Customs officials that cases of smuggling are being detected regularly.
He added there is liberal channel for legitimate import of gold. As per Customs Baggage Rules, 2016, A passenger residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, shall be allowed clearance free of duty in his bona fide baggage of jewellery upto a weight, of twenty grams with a value cap of fifty thousand rupees if brought by a gentleman passenger, or forty grams with a value cap of one lakh rupees if brought by a lady passenger. Further, a passenger of Indian origin who is coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad, is allowed to import gold not exceeding one kilogram in terms of Notification No.50/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017 (Sl.No.356) on payment of 12.5% Customs duty and applicable IGST.
Ranga said the Customs Commissionerate, Ludhiana is fully committed for prevention of any smuggling activities at the airport. The Customs staff maintains a strict surveillance and constant vigil to intercept and foil any attempt for any nefarious activity.