CALCUTTA, India, Nov. 17, Reuter: Indian Police have seized 40 kg (90 pounds) of gold worth nearly one million dollars from 60 British army Gurkhas form Hong Kong, customs officials said on Tuesday.
The soldiers, all Nepali citizens, were detained on Monday when customs officers, acting on a tipoff, raided a chartered plane enrooted to Khathmandu from the British colony which had stopped to refuel in Calcutta. ‘A customs spokesman said they impounded the gold but did not immediately file formal charges the soldiers who were allowed to continue to Kathmandu on Tuesday.
The spokesman estimated the value of the gold at more than 12 million rupees (950,000 dollars).
A spokesman for British High Commission in Calcutta said it was seeking advice from London before discussing the matter with the Indian government.
The Indian government imposes stiff jail terms for gold smuggling which it considers a serious offence against its foreign exchange regulations.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 20, 1987
