Two held for trying to smuggle Iranian saffron

An smuggling bid of 40 kg Iranian saffron, an expensive spice worth about Rs 61 lakh in Indian market, was foiled by the Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. A couple originally from Mumbai was also arrested by the officials along with the consignment.

The Customs officials had information about the consignment who were on the watch. They said at 4.30 am when the flight (G-9481) of Air Arabia from Sharjah to Ahmedabad landed at the airport they checked the belonging of the couple. They recovered two corrugated boxes in which they found saffron also known as kesar weighing 40 kg.

Officials said this is the biggest case of saffron smuggling foiled at Ahmedabad airport in terms of quantity and value. Sources said couple was supposed to take the consignment to Mumbai by road. Iranian saffron is priced between Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 lakh per kg in India, while in Iran it is available at half the Indian price.

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