Austrian was part of Singapore gold smuggling ring

Austrian was part of Singapore gold smuggling ring
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

The arrest and interrogation of Austrian citizen, Florian Seidl, who tried to smuggle in 96 gold bars worth Rs 48 lakh stuffed in his socks, has revealed the existence of a Singapore based syndicate.

This has prompted the customs to step up vigil in the Green Channel area.

According to the Additional Commissioner of Customs (general) Ahmed Hussain, the accused admitted to having visited India more than once over the last two months although his passport showed only one entry into India. ``He has visited India more than once on a fake passport to smuggle in the gold. His interrogation confirms the existence of the cartel based in Singapore, which seems to be the part of an international gang,'' explained Hussain.

The customs had recently tried to make the Green Channel a more tourist-friendly zone. ``Earlier we had been treating most westerners as tourists and trying to facilitate their exit through customs. But with the arrest of the Austrian and the earlier arrests in connection with gold smuggling has forced us to be more vigilant,'' added Hussain.

Seidl had stuffed his socks with gold bars but his dragging gait aroused the suspicion of the customs officals who arrested him.

The customs officals are puzzled by the spurt in the smuggling of the gold even though the duty on it has been slashed by the finance ministry. The unhindered access through the Green Channel was facilitated after repeated complaints from the passengers about the harrasment by customs officals.It was made especially easy for westerners.