14 crude gold chains of 24 carat, each weighing 500 gm concealed in the fuel tank of the imported Mini Cooper car were seized by the authorities said KN Raghavan, Commissioner, Cochin Customs.
The luxury car was imported under Carnet De Passage — a duty-free car import facility for tourists.
“This suggests that smugglers are patient enough to wait for the contraband to arrive at the destination via ship, a time-consuming operation,” said KN Raghavan.
According to sources, the car and its contents had been booked in the name of Moideen Kunhi from Puttur, near here.
The official said 25 to 30 cars were imported through the Carnet De Passage scheme on a year-on-year basis in Kochi. Cars imported under the scheme are permitted for use anywhere in India for six months.
The seized Mini Cooper valued around Rs. 25 lakh will also be confiscated under the provision of Customs Act.
Comments
This is the handy work of gold smugglers may not be necessary from Mangalore. Karnataka state is full of Gold merchants as they are 95% from Kerala. Need to know by the public the beneficiary of the Cooper Mini and unearth the gold smugglers.
Cars imported under the scheme are permitted for use anywhere in India for six months....
After six months, what is the status. What to do?
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