MUMBAI, August 14: In one of the biggest gold hauls in recent times, Customs and Air Intelligence unit (AIU) officials at Mumbai docks and the Sahar cargo complex have seized about 105 kg of gold, including 70 kg from a Ukrainian ship here today.

The worth of the seizure is put at Rs 5.2 crore.

In the first haul, AIU officials seized 300 gold bars, weighing about 35 kg, concealed in two air-conditioners, which was part of unaccompanied luggage from Dubai along with a washing machine and a television.

The officials found the bars concealed in the compressors of the air-conditioners, which had arrived at the Sahar cargo complex on August 11 by an Emirates Airlines flight.

Later in the day, a special task force of the Mumbai preventive commissionerate, which had been keeping a discreet watch on Russian ships calling at Mumbai port in the wake of intelligence reports that they were smuggling contraband gold, seized six jackets with 600 gold bars, weighing about 70 kg, and worth Rs 3.6 crore.

The vessel, M V Transcord, which arrived from Singapore, was searched the moment it berthed at Indira Docks and the jackets recovered from the engine room. The vessel, valued at about Rs 31.5 crore, has been seized and is liable for confiscation, a customs spokesman said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.