PRESS NOTE



Goa Customs has thwarted a major attempt of gold smuggling at the
International Airport on 07.07.2014 and 19.491 kgs of gold valued at Rs.
5,41,84,980/- has been seized. Three international passengers Shri
Mohammad Saleem Musbah, Shri Imtiyaz Hussain and Shri Mohammed Asif
coming from Dubai by QR-522 have been arrested. The fourth person
arrested in the case is Shri Prakash M. Manotgi, a tractor driver with Air
India. Another accused and accomplice, Shri Shaikh Mohammed Javid,
employee of M/s Minar Travels India (Pvt) Ltd. is absconding and efforts are
on to nab him. The modus operandi attempted in the case was that the
three passengers handed over the gold to Shri Prakash Manotgi in the
corridor after alighting from the Aircraft. This particular transaction in the
corridor was noticed by a CISF staffer manning the CCTV room who rushed
to inform the Customs and nab the accused. The person receiving the gold
was apprehended and the three passengers were then apprehended in the
International Arrival Hall. A house belonging to one of accused was
searched and Indian currency amounting to Rs. 21,25,000/- and assorted
foreign currency of USD 10,524/- and Euro 975/- was recovered.




                                                    (VASA SESHAGIRI RAO)

                                              Commissioner of Customs, Goa