DRI arrests Air India crew member for smuggling gold from US to India, mastermind too nabbed
Acting on specific information, DRI officials on Friday intercepted Girish Pimpale, 42, who had arrived from New York on flight AI-116, near the exit gate after he crossed the customs green channel at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
On his examination, the DRI officials seized two pieces of paper on which handwritten calculations regarding the purchase of gold were found. This bolstered DRI's suspicion of Pimpale's involvement. Hence, he was subsequently placed under interrogation in which he reportedly admitted his role in the smuggling activity.
He also showed a pouch containing 1373.2 grams of foreign-origin gold (worth Rs 1.41 crore) on the side of a sofa placed near the baggage services area in the international arrival hall of Mumbai International Airport, which was subsequently seized, sources have said.
Pimpale's further investigation revealed that one Rakesh Rathod was supposed to receive smuggled gold from him, as he is the mastermind running the racket. Rathod was subsequently arrested on Saturday.
Mastermind offered AI crew Rs 2 lakh on every 1 kg of smuggled gold
Explaining how the racket was being operated, another source said that Rathod would ask Pimpale to buy gold in the US, make payment in cash, smuggle it to India and give it to him, as there is a huge profit margin.
Since crew members are not examined, taking advantage of the same, Rathod decided to rope in Pimpale for the smuggling job.
Probe has revealed that Rathod offered Pimpale Rs 2 lakh on every 1 kg of smuggled gold. He would also arrange cash in the US using some hawala channels for Pimpale to buy gold there. Recently, Rathod arranged USD 150,000 in the US for Pimpale to buy the gold for smuggling purposes, the source added.
Further investigation has revealed that Rathod and Pimpale have known each other for the past year, and he allegedly accepted smuggled gold from Pimpale twice in the past. Rathod has a criminal past. He was previously booked by the customs in a gold smuggling case by Mumbai customs in 2020.
The DRI officials are further investigating the matter and are trying to find out details of other members of the racket and also the source of funds used in purchasing the gold. Both the accused have been arrested under relevant sections of the Customs Act.
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