In a startling incident, a traveler arriving in Mumbai from Dubai found himself ensnared in the web of illicit activities as he attempted to smuggle an astonishing sum of $180,000 worth of diamonds concealed ingeniously within packets of tea.
The Customs Department’s vigilant Air Intelligence Unit brought this daring act to light. This audacious endeavor saw the concealment of 34 diamonds, collectively weighing 1,559.68 carats, artfully stowed away in eight discreet pouches.
The suspect, a 30-year-old Indian resident, was promptly apprehended at the Mumbai-based Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as the authorities subjected his hand baggage to meticulous scrutiny.
According to reliable sources, the accused was allegedly enticed by a paltry payment of $60 to undertake this illicit smuggling venture. The perpetrator’s modus operandi involved masking the true nature of the goods by ingeniously integrating the diamonds within tea packets, attempting to bypass the watchful eyes of customs officials.
The value assessment of these seized diamonds was carried out by the prestigious Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). This incident underscores the ongoing struggle against illegal activities, shining a spotlight on the unyielding efforts of law enforcement agencies to uphold the integrity of international travel and commerce.
