Mumbai: Airport Customs officials arrest A.R. Khateeb for attempting to smuggle foreign currency and diamonds worth ₹1.18 crore to Muscat | File Photo
Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Airport Customs on Tuesday arrested a 45-year-old man who was allegedly trying to smuggle out foreign currency and diamonds totally valued at Rs 1.18 crore to Muscat.
The accused has named certain individuals as his handlers and also admitted to agree to smuggle out foreign currency and diamonds for monetary considerations. His travel history indicates that he is a frequent traveller, agency sources said. The arrested person has been identified as A.R. Khateeb, a resident of Bhatkal, Karnataka.
According to the Customs sources, Khateeb was departing to Muscat from Mumbai on Tuesday when at around 02.30 AM, Khateeb was stopped at the check in counter when he reported at the counter and was intercepted by an Air Customs Officer and was asked if he was carrying any foreign currency. diamonds or any contraband in his baggage or in his person, to which he replied in the negative.
Mumbai: Airport Customs officials arrest A.R. Khateeb for attempting to smuggle foreign currency and diamonds worth ₹1.18 crore to Muscat | File Photo
Not being satisfied with his answer, the officers decided to examine his bags and take personal search of the passenger. The Customs officer then checked the baggage and recovered SAR (Saudi Arabian Riyal) 59,500 (worth Rs 13,32,800) from Khateeb’s backpack bag.
Thereafter, the Customs recovered and seized the foreign currency under the reasonable belief that the said foreign currency was being smuggled out of India in a clandestine manner. The Customs officials also seized diamonds valued at Rs 1,05,38,700 from Khateeb.
“The investigation in this case is at the preliminary stage. Further, investigation is on to break the bigger nexus involved in the smuggling activities. We are probing those who had provided the foreign currency and diamonds to Khateeb in India and who was supposed to receive the said consignment in Muscat,” said an official.
