Customs seize £68,000 from Briton
HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, OCT 22 In an unprecedented incident, the Customs Air Intelligence Unit of the Commissionerate of Customs and Central Excise (CCE) intercepted a Briton at Dabolim airport on Sunday and seized 68,000 pounds (Rs 51.68 lakh), which was reportedly meant to buy real estate in the State. According to CCE Assistant Commissioner A Dias, the accused, Michael H John arrived at Dabolim airport by Charter Flight Monarch 4502 from Manchester, UK. On arrival in the Customs Baggage hall, John opted for Green Channel, but did not declare the foreign currency in his possession to the Customs. Officers of the Customs Air Intelligence intercepted John at the exit gate of Customs, and recovered from him 60,000 pounds in Travellers Cheques and 8,000 pounds in cash, equivalent to Indian Rs 51.68 lakh. The Foreign Exchange Management Act requires incoming International passengers, to declare to the Customs on arrival, foreign currency over and above USD 10,000. The seizure of the foreign currency detected by the officers was based on suspicion and as an effort of overall vigil kept at the Airport to prevent smuggling of drugs, currency and electronic items. During interrogation, John revealed that he had intended to utilize the amount to purchase an apartment along the North Goa beach coast. Customs officials claimed that this is possibly the first time that foreign exchange of this magnitude intended for purchase of real estate in Goa has been seized by any Enforcement Agency in the State. John was arrested and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Margao, who ordered the accused to furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, and two sureties of Rs 50,000 each, failing which he would be remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. The entire operation was carried out by Superintendents of Customs G D Lotlikar, R D Khorjuvenkar, BV Narvekar, and Preventive Officer E. Braganza under the directions of the Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Dabolim Airport A V Dias, and the guidance of the P V N Suresh Babu, Additional Commissioner Customs. The Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise Goa, Chandrahas Mathur, supervised the seizure. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3192&cid=10 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
