Customs Thwarts Smuggling Of IDR 1.1 Billion Diamonds Into Dubai, Hidden In Suitcase Handles

JAKARTA - The smuggling of diamonds worth more than 770,000 US dollars or more than Rp. 1 billion by passengers on flights to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) was successfully thwarted at the airport.

Customs officers at Chennai International Airport, India managed to intercept a passenger who was about to board Emirates airline flight number EK-543 to Dubai, UAE on Tuesday, December 28, morning.

Quoted from The National News December 31, armed with special intelligence information collected during the investigation, the authorities managed to find a hidden diamond in the telescopic handle of the passenger's suitcase.

In total, the diamond reaches 1,052.72 carats with an overall value of around US$ 773,970 or equivalent to Rp. 1,1046.873,810.

It is understood that passengers traveling out of or entering the UAE with cash of more than 100,000 UAE dirhams around IDR 388,285,102 or the equivalent amount in other currencies or other financial instruments, must report it to customs.

Likewise, every precious metal or precious stone that has a value of 60,000 dirhams or Rp.232,953,092 or more, it is obligatory to report it to the authorities.

Anyone importing precious stones into the UAE worth more than this amount must provide supporting documents on arrival, such as an invoice of origin of the export company with its stamp and signature, a packing list to show the amount, and a detailed list of jewelry studies.

To note, under customs laws, penalties for smuggling undeclared goods into the UAE can range from a fine to a three-month prison term, as well as confiscation of goods and equipment used in the smuggling process.

Based on specific intel, Chennai Customs AIU Officers intercepted a pax bound to Dubai via flight EK-543 on 28.12.2021. Diamonds (1052.72 Carat) val'd @ 5.76 crore ingeniously concealed in telescopic handle of stroller suitcase, recovered/ secluded under CA1962. Pax Arrested. pic.twitter.com/EDcsOAeYul

— Chennai Customs (@ChennaiCustoms) December 29, 2021