Chennai: Officials of the Air Cargo Customs have seized 204 carat diamonds and some precious stones worth Rs 4.43 crore from a shipment which arrived from Sri Lanka.
Sources said based on specific information, the shipment, which was declared as semi-precious stones, was intercepted by the Air Cargo Customs for detailed examination.
During the examination, 204 carats Diamond alongwith some other precious stones, like Hessonite, Sapphire were found concealed.
The valuation of the cargo by the government approved valuer revealed a value of Rs 4.43 crore, whereas the value declared to Customs is Rs 5.85 lakh.
The Consignment was seized under Customs Act. The bank account of the importing entity having an amount of Rs.60 lakhs is provisionally attached under Section 110 (5) of Customs Act.
A sum of Rs 56,000 and account books were seized during the subsequent search operations of the premises and further investigations under progress.