In a significant enforcement action, the Air Customs Unit at Coimbatore International Airport seized smuggled items valued at approximately ₹90 lakh from five inbound passengers on Saturday.
Acting on intelligence inputs generated through data analytics, a team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Customs intercepted five individuals — Thameem Ansary and Mohamed Aboobacker Sadiq from Chennai, Benish Jesudhasan from Kanyakumari, Muthuraja from Cuddalore, and Kamalbatcha from Thanjavur. All five had arrived from Abu Dhabi on IndiGo Flight 6E 1498.
A detailed search of their checked-in and hand baggage led to the recovery of a variety of smuggled goods, including high-end electronic gadgets such as drones, iPhones, batteries, smartwatches, microphones, as well as cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
Among the seized items were 17 DJI Air 3S drones, collectively valued at around Rs. 15 lakh. Cigarettes and e-cigarettes of assorted brands were estimated to be worth Rs. 16 lakh. The most valuable component of the haul was a cache of mobile phones and other premium electronic devices, pegged at Rs. 60 lakh.
Customs officials have initiated further investigation into the incident.
Read More: Monsoon Session Set to Prioritize Tax Simplification and Business Reforms
