Goa Crime Branch seizes 1.3 kg ‘liquid’ gold worth Rs 1.5 crore; two held

Panaji, Jul 18 (PTI) Two persons from Kerala were held in Goa after the Crime Branch recovered nearly 1.3 kg of “liquid” gold worth about Rs 1.5 crore from their possession, police said on Saturday. Hassan Niyaz (35) and Muhammed Khunhi (57), both natives of Kasaragod district in the southern state, were intercepted at Sukhe Kulan in Dhargal in North Goa, they said. Preliminary investigation showed that Niyaz had allegedly arrived in Goa from Dubai on a flight carrying the liquid gold. Khunhi had travelled from Kasaragod to Margao by train before proceeding to Manohar International Airport at Mopa to receive the consignment, police said. The two, who later travelled together, were stopped by the Crime Branch team. During a search, cops recovered nearly 1.3 kg of liquid gold, concealed inside specially stitched cavities in the inner garments worn by the accused, an official said. The seized gold is estimated to be worth around Rs 1.5 crore, police said. Both were taken into custody and subsequently handed over to the Customs authorities at Mormugao for further investigation and legal action under the provisions of the Customs Act and other applicable laws, officials said. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rahul Gupta, they added. PTI RPS NR