In a significant bust, the Mumbai Customs department has apprehended a United Kingdom national for her involvement in an alleged gold smuggling operation, where she attempted to sneak 3.4 kilograms of gold valued at Rs 1.63 crores from Kenya into India. The woman employed a clever concealment tactic by hiding the gold within her undergarments, attempting to outsmart authorities, according to customs sources.
The arrest unfolded when customs officials at the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport took into custody 40-year-old UK national, Sahra Mohammed Omar, who had recently arrived on Kenya Airways flight KQ 202.
Upon closer examination, the authorities discovered 17 melted gold bars of 22 karats and an assortment of 21-karat gold jewelry concealed in her possession. During questioning, she confessed to her involvement in the gold smuggling operation, as asserted by customs sources. The focus of the investigation now turns to extracting more information about her accomplices in this illicit activity.
The accused was subsequently placed under arrest under the applicable sections of the Customs Act. She was presented before a holiday court on the following Sunday.
Advocate Prabhakar Tripathi, representing the accused, argued, “The accused, a UK national, was unaware of the customs laws of India.” After considering both sides of the argument, the court decided to remand her in judicial custody.
