Smugglers use SL as transit point to pump in gold

29 September 2012 10:27 am - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka seems to have become a transit point for smugglers bringing gold Chennai from places like Dubai and Singapore. In the past month, bureau of immigration officials at Chennai airport arrested 13 people, including several Sri Lankan Tamils, and seized 3.5kg of gold. At least 30kg of gold has been recovered at Chennai airport from smugglers so far this year, sources said.

A senior immigration officer confirmed the new route. "As officials double-check baggage of air passengers from Dubai and Singapore, smugglers are taking a lengthy route via Sri Lanka to avoid being scanned with extra care," a police officer said.

Inquiries with the carriers caught so far have revealed that they get a mere 5,000-10,000 for a trip to India. "Of the 13 arrested in the past one month, at least 10 are Sri Lankan Tamils," an official said.

"We believe the smugglers are also using a few other lesser known routes to bring in gold illegally into our country. We have stepped up security arrangements at Trichy, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore airports apart from Chennai airport. A special circular has been sent to staff at these airports to check carefully the baggage of passengers arriving from Sri Lanka," an immigration officer said.

The increase in the gold prices in India has led to smugglers trying to bring in gold from abroad, officials said. Several attempts to smuggle in the yellow metal had been successful, but a number of attempts had been thwarted with the help of informers, they added. "We are getting information about smuggling of valuables from abroad through sources. Though most of the carriers arrested don't know much about the bigger network, special teams are on the trail of the big fish," the immigration officer said. (The Times of India)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 4

Kumudu Saturday, 29 September 2012 12:01 PM

The gold is in exchange of $ not in exchange of Rupee. Most rich collected gold in their garage as banks can not be trusted.

Cobra Saturday, 29 September 2012 12:39 PM

The govt. want's to make Lanka a hub for everything, so there!

Mohammed Hiraz Saturday, 29 September 2012 03:09 PM

ohh cheh hat a sad

Jagath Leanage Sunday, 30 September 2012 12:28 AM

Gold is a metal which appreciate price very rapidly. So officials must take necessary steps to aprehend these culprits. This is a good revenue earning method to customs without squezing our neck.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Smugglers use SL as transit point to pump in gold

Comments - 4

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

New Visa procedure implemented

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident