CHENNAI: An unannounced change of shift for customs officials on duty at the Chennai International Airport is believed to have spelt bad luck for two couriers carrying undeclared goods from Singapore.According to sources, Mohammed Qureshi (38) and Habeebullah (42), two couriers who hailed from Ramanathapuram, had arrived in Chennai via an Air India flight that landed at 3.30 am on Thursday. Apparently, they walked into Customs smugly with hand baggage that contained undeclared I-pads, high-end slates, mobile phones, handycams and other electronic goods, expecting to get through without too much of a hassle. A customs official alleged, “We had received reports that some couriers were smuggling goods on particular shift timings and only flew in on flights that arrived at those times. So, we recently began shuffling the shifts and duty rosters on a surprise basis, especially during the time when flights from South East Asia arrive.” When the baggage of the two was checked, the goods came tumbling out and they were both arrested. The loot seized was valued at `15 lakh. The two men were merely couriers and customs officials have begun the hunt for the gang behind the smuggling operation, said sources.
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