Customs official held by DRI, Rs 7.8 cr worth gold seized

Sources identified the arrested official as Jayaraman, superintendent of air intelligence unit, Customs. 

The DRI, during a follow up search, also recovered 48 drones (restricted for import) from the receiver’s shop valued at about Rs 23 lakh, and several high-end cameras and accessories. Sources said the Air Intelligence Unit had only been making small seizures while huge smuggled consignments were allowed to pass, with the connivance of officials. 

In an official communication on Sunday, the DRI said it detained four passengers who arrived at Anna International Airport from Singapore and Malaysia on Saturday after it was found that they were carrying 12.95 kg of gold bars. Jayaraman, who was waiting to receive the gold from them on behalf of a receiver, was also planning on allowing the the passengers leave the airport undetected. 

During a follow-up search at the receiver’s residence and that of his relative, an additional 10.2kg of smuggled gold and Rs 24.43 lakh cash was seized. The passengers intercepted at the airport were carrying high valued cameras and accessories. The arrested five have confessed to their involvement in the crime, the DRI said in the press release.