An NRI woman stooped to a new low, using her minor daughter to smuggle gold while returning to India. Further investigation exposed a family history of similar crimes.
Ami Kotecha, a US-based NRI returning to India via Dubai, was arrested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Friday. Her daughter was found with 9 gold bars concealed in a customized jacket under her dress.
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With a total weight of 5.47 Kg, the naive child was carrying gold worth Rs 4.86 crores on her. When questioned, the minor revealed she wasn’t aware that this was illegal and she hid the packet only after her mother gave it to her.
While Ami’s lawyer claims she wasn’t aware that bringing gold to India is illegal, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) claims it could be to avoid the import charges. If it was done legally, Ami would have to pay Rs 1.87 crore on Customs duty.
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When police dug deep into Ami’s past and family records, it was found her husband was held by the Customs in the past for attempting to smuggle $1 million out of India.
Now, the NRI woman has been arrested and awaits trial. However, the original carrier of contraband, her innocent daughter, has been let go.
