Diamonds worth over Rs 4 cr stolen

Gold ornaments and polished diamonds worth over Rs 4.5 crore were allegedly stolen from a container at the high-security Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport here, police said on Saturday.

A container marked as containing “precious metals” packed in two separate bags, weighing 3.5 kg landed at the CSIA by a Thai airways flight from Bangkok on Thursday night. Later, officials from the Air India’s (the local ground handler for goods arrived by Thai Airways) cargo wing discovered that one packet containing two bracelets, four pendants, 37 rings and 74 polished diamonds collectively worth over Rs 4.5 crore were stolen from it, they said.

“The discovery was made at the dumping ground for containers. Once the aircraft lands, personnel from Air India have to call Customs officials at the tarmac to check the precious goods and then the consignment has to be escorted safely to a strong room in the premises where it is to be kept,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (Airport Division) Janardan Garje said.