Bengaluru: February arrived in the absence of customs at Kempegowda Nabbing International Airport two people from Tamil Nadu because they tried to smuggle foreign currencies, including the US dollar and the UAE Dirham, worth Rs 8.4 lakh to Dubai.
In fact, throughout January, there was an increase marked in smuggling from and to KIA.
Authorities solve six cases of gold smuggling and currency and damage other rackets carrying Heroin worth Rs 5.3 Crore through air courier.
In the past past, smuggling activities through KIA have been low in size such as international flight numbers down due to the pandemic situation.
But things began to change towards the end of 2021, and January 2022 experienced a sudden surge in illegal activities, including gold smuggling and currency from the Gulf by operators who often became part of international gangs with a relationship with Bengaluru.
2022 began with a smuggling offer on January 4 when the detective digs 24 gold biscuits worth 1.4 crore hidden under the passenger chair from Indigo flights that have arrived from Dubai.
“The weight of 2.8kg gold was attached by smugglers under the seat using duct tape, it was possible for his accomplice to take it in the next period when the flight turned to the domestic foot to go to another city after landing in Bengaluru,” said an officer with a bangaluru thread.
On January 18, there was an effort by two passengers who flew down from Dubai with a gold pasta worth 42 lakh rs hidden in their bodies.
The next day saw a domestic passenger who arrived from Mumbai with a foreign gold piece smuggled worth more than Rs 26 Lakh.
The Bengaluru Unit Directorate of Income Intelligence (DRI), who also monitors KIA, is considered the main center for smugglers in South India, notifying Customs in a suspect who tries to fly with a large number of foreign currencies, especially the US dollar.
On January 21, the researchers beat a 30-year-old passenger who arrived from Mumbai and scheduled to fly to Dubai with Rs 24,32,730 worth of foreign currencies hidden under the false base in his suitcase, said the source.
After a long gap, the cargo section in Kia witnessed the drug smuggling efforts on a large scale when the laptop arm was declared a document and bag landed from Dubai on January 25.
Officials cut arms and dig 754 grams of high-quality heroin, estimated to be worth RS 5.3 Crore in the international market.
A 59-year-old man from Attiguppe, scheduled to receive a package, was arrested and ordered.
With flight numbers up and with air bubbles and passenger travel increases when the third wave Covid subsides, smugglers re-enter their routine route, especially to Bay from Bengaluru.
They fly with gold and fly with large amounts of foreign currency.
The customs source in Kia said they were extra alert now to track leaflets involved in the activity.