Hyderabad, April 9: Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport arrested two passengers on Wednesday night after seizing 18 luxury Rolex watches worth ₹18 crore, marking one of the biggest smuggling hauls at the facility this year.
The duo—identified as Mohammed Rafi (32) from Dubai and Abdul Khan (28) from Mumbai—arrived from Switzerland via Dubai on an Emirates flight around 10:30 p.m. Acting on precise intelligence, CISF and Customs teams intercepted them during baggage screening at Terminal 1.
A thorough body and luggage search uncovered the high-end timepieces hidden inside specially designed clothing compartments and false-bottom suitcases. The consignment included rare models like Rolex Daytona Cosmograph, Submariner Date, and GMT-Master II, with retail values ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore each.
“These watches carried fake invoices showing ₹10 lakh valuation each. Actual street value hits ₹18 crore after import duties,” said Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Customs Superintendent Prakash Reddy. He noted the smugglers targeted Hyderabad’s wealthy clientele, including IT professionals and businessmen.
India levies 38% customs duty plus 28% GST on luxury watches above ₹40,000, making smuggling profitable despite risks. Each Rolex faced ₹15-20 lakh in taxes alone.
Interrogation revealed the duo as part of a Dubai-based syndicate sourcing watches from Geneva duty-free shops. They planned distribution through upscale boutiques in Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills. A third accomplice remains at large.
“This syndicate operated smoothly for 18 months, clearing smaller consignments earlier,” revealed a senior Customs officer. The arrested men face charges under Customs Act 1962 and may serve up to 7 years if convicted.
Airport CCTV footage showed nervous behaviour—repeated bathroom visits and avoiding scanners—that tipped off officials. Enhanced AI screening caught the anomaly.
Public reaction praised swift action. “₹18 crore bust shows Hyderabad airport means business against smugglers,” posted local jeweller Srinivas Reddy. Passenger safety groups demanded stricter liquid scanners after recent ceiling panel incidents at the same terminal.
Customs seized the watches pending forensic verification and froze related bank accounts. NIA may probe terror financing links if international patterns emerge.
This major Rolex seizure underscores Hyderabad’s emergence as a luxury smuggling hotspot, fuelling demand from India’s booming affluent class while testing airport security’s resolve.
