Latest news with #AirIntelligenceUnit
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Foreign national held at Mumbai airport with cocaine worth ₹52 crore
A foreign national was arrested after 5.194 kgs of cocaine worth ₹51.94 crore was recovered from him at the Mumbai international airport, Customs officials said on Tuesday. Based on specific information, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Mumbai Customs intercepted a passenger, an overseas resident, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday, an official said. During his personal search, four packets containing 5,194 grams (5.194 kgs) of cocaine were found ingeniously concealed in an ortho waist belt and calf guards, he said. After interrogation, the foreign national was placed under arrest by the Customs under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), the official said, adding further investigation was underway in the matter.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- The Hindu
5.25 kg ganja seized from air passenger in Coimbatore
Officers of the Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs Department, based on intelligence inputs, intercepted a passenger from Bangkok who arrived at the Coimbatore International Airport via Singapore and seized 5.25 kg of hydroponic weed (ganja). The passenger was identified as Mohammed Faizal from Kozhikode, and the contraband was packed in five plastic bags and concealed in the luggage. The passenger who originated his journey in Bangkok travelled to Coimbatore via Singapore. The passenger has been taken into custody for further investigation under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act read with Customs Act of 1952.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Airport staffer caught with 3kg gold hidden in underwear at Mumbai airport
Customs officials at Mumbai Airport apprehended an airport staffer, Soheal Ahmed Siddique, for attempting to smuggle 3 kgs of gold worth Rs 2.66 crore. The gold, concealed in capsules within his sock, was discovered during a search. MUMBAI: Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted an airport staffer, Soheal Ahmed Siddique (37), in the early hours of May 19 while he was passing through the staff exit gate with 3 kgs of gold worth Rs 2.66 crore. Acting on suspicion, the Air Intelligence Unit conducted a personal search and discovered six gold-filled capsules weighing 3 kg, concealed in a grey sock hidden in his underwear. During interrogation, Siddique admitted he received the capsules from a transit passenger in the airport's smoking lounge. The gold dust, certified as 24KT and valued at Rs 2.66 crore, was seized on the spot. Further, Siddique confessed to previously smuggling gold of similar value. The agency is trying to identify the transit passenger who handed gold to Siddique.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
Customs seizes currency worth over Rs 44 lakh from woman at Kochi airport
Kochi: Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Cochin International Airport foiled a major attempt at smuggling foreign currency from the airport on Thursday night. Acting on specific intelligence, the Customs team intercepted a woman passenger from SpiceJet flight SG18 bound for Dubai with currency of value over Rs 44 lakh. The passenger was identified as Geeta, a native of Muvattupuzha. Sources said that upon thorough examination of her check-in baggage, the officers recovered 2,00,000 Saudi Riyals (SAR), equivalent to approximately Rs 44.40 lakh. The foreign currency was concealed inside aluminium foil layers hidden within the check-in baggage. The currency was in the denomination of 500 SAR, and there were 400 bills. Sources said she was attempting to travel to Dubai on the flight at 10pm on Thursday. Customs said that the foreign currency was seized, and an investigation was in process. A case was registered, and an investigation is underway to track down the source and destination of the currency. The woman was later granted bail.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Indian Express
Customs officials arrest 3 men, 2 women at Mumbai airport for smuggling weed worth Rs 30 crore from Bangkok
Customs department officials arrested three men and two women at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport in Mumbai in the past couple of days while they were trying to allegedly smuggle hydroponic weed worth around Rs 30 crore from Bangkok. All are residents of Mumbai and travelling on different flights. Sources in the customs department said that based on reliable inputs, Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials nabbed Saat Rasta area resident Laxman Mhadik and Nalasopara resident Harsha Chheda and seized hydroponic weed from them on Wednesday. A total of 11,808 gram of weed worth Rs 11.8 crore was seized from Mhadik and Chheda. In the second case, AIU officials intercepted Byculla residents Noor Bilakhia and Afrin Bilakhia during passenger profiling. They were found concealing nearly 12 kilogram of hydroponic weed worth around Rs 12 crore in their trolley bag. Customs officials also caught Trombay resident Mohammed Shaikh. Examination of Shaikh's luggage led to the seizure of hydroponic weed worth Rs 5.90 crore. The inquiry of suspects revealed that they were aware of the smuggling of narcotics and were offered hefty commissions by their handlers. Customs officials are trying to extract information on their handlers and also about the local contacts in Mumbai who were supposed to accept the deliveries of the smuggled contraband from them, a customs source said. The arrested suspects face serious charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as commercial quantities of drugs have been seized from them. As per the Customs department, 1,000 gram of cannabis (weed) is specified as a small quantity, and any amount above it is considered a commercial quantity. If proven guilty, they may attract 20 years of imprisonment, said another customs source. Hydroponic weed refers to cannabis grown without the use of soil.
