Customs seizes Rs 27-crore wrist watch at Delhi airport, arrests passenger

New Delhi: In the "biggest seizure" of luxury goods at Delhi airport, an Indian national has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle seven high-end wrist watches, including the one made of gold and studded with diamonds worth more than Rs 27 crore, officials said Thursday.

The seizure was made from a passenger, an Indian national, who was intercepted by the customs officials after his arrival from Dubai on Tuesday, an official statement said.

Commissioner of customs at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport Zubair Riaz Kamili said it is the biggest seizure, in value terms, of commercial or luxury goods.

“In value terms, it is equivalent to seizing around 60 kgs of gold in one instance,” Kamili said.

The detailed examination of the baggage and personal search of the passenger resulted in the recovery of seven wrist watches -- Jacob & Co (model: BL115.30a), Piaget limelight stella (SI.No.1250352 P11179), Rolex oyster perpetual date just (Sl. No. Z7J 12418), Rolex oyster perpetual date just (SI. No. 0C46G2 17), Rolex oyster perpetual date just (SI. No. ZV655573), Rolex oyster perpetual date just (Sl. No. 237Q 5385) and Rolex oyster perpetual date just (Sl. No. 861R9269), the statement said.

Besides these watches, a diamond-studded gold bracelet and an iPhone 14 Pro 256 GB having a total value of Rs 28.17 crore were also recovered from the passenger, said the statement issued by Delhi Customs.

The watches have been seized and the passenger was arrested, it said.

One of the watches of Jacob & Co make is worth Rs 27.09 crore alone and it is most expensive watch ever seized at the airport, a senior customs official said.

He said the accused passenger and his uncle have a retail outlet of expensive watches in Dubai with branches at other places in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"He was carrying the watches for delivery to a high-profile client in Delhi. The passenger was to meet his client, said to be from Gujarat, at a five-star hotel in Delhi. The client did not turn up for the meeting. So far, the accused has also not disclosed the name of the client saying he fears for his life," the official said, wishing anonymity.

Chief Commissioner, Delhi Customs Zone, Surjit Bhujbal said alert officers at the Delhi airport has made this seizure possible.

“Indian customs has always ensured maximum facilitation with minimal disturbance to genuine passengers, and simultaneously ensuring to safeguard of economic frontiers by curbing smuggling,” Bhujbal said.