Kolkata, July 22: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Saturday apprehended a man at Kolkata airport for allegedly smuggling expensive foreign-brand watches valued at Rs 30 crore. An expensive Greubel Forsey brand watch was recovered from him at the airport.

Later, a raid was conducted at his house which led to the recovery of 34 high-end watches of various premium brands, namely Greubel Forsey, Purnell, Louis Vuitton, MB&F, Mad, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille. Mumbai: Over 30 High-End, Limited Edition Watches Worth Rs 30 Crore Seized, One Held For Smuggling (See Pics).

"Most of these watches are Limited Edition watches of exceptionally high value. The total market value of all the watches is estimated at more than Rs 30 crore," the official said. The accused arrived at Kolkata airport from Singapore.

Over 30 High-End, Limited Edition Watches Seized:

The DRI Mumbai Zonal team got a tip-off that one person was in possession of more than 34 smuggled high-end premium watches of foreign origin at his residential premises. An input suggested that the said person was abroad and would be returning to India carrying some more high-end premium watches of foreign origin. Mumbai Airport Customs Seize Over 2.1 Kg Gold Dust in Wax Form Worth 1.1 Crore from Lounge Staff.

"The watches were to be smuggled into the country without payment of Customs duty charges. Acting on the intelligence, the said individual was intercepted at Kolkata airport while coming back from Singapore and an expensive Greubel Forsey brand watch was recovered from his possession which he didn't declare before the Customs Authorities," an official said.

The accused was arrested under Section 104 of the Customs Act. Import of watches by individuals through the baggage attracts 38.5 per cent of Customs duties as per Baggage Rules, which was evaded by the accused.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2023 10:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).