There's hidden gold in that burqa

The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of airport customs on Saturday detected at least four cases in which women were smuggling gold using burkha.

Investigators says gold smuggling using burkha-clad women is the new trend as the smuggling syndicate keep experimenting their modus operandi from time to time.

"We are observing a new trend," said Kiran Kumar, deputy commissioner, AIU.

Gold worth over Rs 3.55 crore were recovered from them.

The first case involved a Mauritius national who was bringing cut gold worth over around Rs 49.71 lakh, concealed inside her clothes. She arrived from Kuala Lumpur.

In the second case, gold bars worth over Rs 99.52 crore were seized from a woman coming from Dubai. Gold was seized from her husband as well.

The third case related a woman from Dummam, who arrived in a Jet airways flight. Gold worth over Rs 78.33 lakh was seized from her. Similarly, 9 gold bars worth over Rs 27.56 were seized from another woman, also coming from Dammam.

The AIU has observed a sharp rise in gold smuggling this year — 605 kg till September, compared to 70 kg the same period last year. Experts blame the rise in smuggling to the ongoing festive season, and the high levy on gold imports.

In a separate incident on Friday, the AIU apprehended two Madagascar women with gold bars worth over Rs 2 crore. They arrived in Mumbai from Nairoibi.

The two arrested have been identified as Randria Isabelle (22) and Razanadrasoa Claudine (46).

"Personal search of Isabelle resulted in the recovery of seven crude gold bars, weighing 5,270 grams and worth Rs 1.31 crore. Four crude gold bars weighing 3,100 grams and worth Rs 77.13 lakh were recovered from Claudine," said an AIU official, requesting anonymity.

The AIU claimed the two were part of an international gold-smuggling syndicate.