Customs officers stationed at the International terminal of the Mumbai airport approached unwary Travellers, threatened to book them in smuggling cases for possessing gold and electronic items that were permitted within the set limits, and demanded bribes to “settle” the cases. The officials accepted bribes on G pay and mobile banking wallets from airport loaders working at the baggage belt.
After conducting a thorough investigation and gathering evidence against the men in customs at the airport, the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) broked a digital extortion ring of customs officials at the Mumbai International Airport on Saturday night with the arrest of Customs Superintendent Kumar Alok.
Airport loader Sanjay Joshi’s Gpay account contained over 17 lakhs in deposits from foreign visitors, which were afterwards transferred to the accounts of the accused customs superintendent Kumar Alok, according to the statement obtained by CBI. Further, the CBI investigation found that the funds moved into the Kumar Alok accounts were used to book hotels and flights for senior IRS officers stationed at the airport and their families.
The airport customs hawaldar Desai’s call to the accused to confirm the extortion cash of ₹17,000 received on G pay for customs officer Mann assigned at the airport surprised the CBI team conducting the search on baggage loader Sanjay Joshi’s home.
It is unlawful to accept or give bribes. However, the majority of travellers overpack their luggage and some even smuggle gold. They cooperate with the officers by paying the requested amount because they don’t want to create a big problem out of it.
A large number of senior customs employees are allegedly engaged in the extortion ring at the Mumbai international airport, according to the CBI’s remand appeal before the special CBI court.
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