Chennai, July 9 (IANS) A huge consignment of zirconium stones worth over Rs.30 million originating from Malaysia was seized Wednesday from a container unloaded at the harbour here, customs officials said.
This is the second haul with a similar modus operandi within a span of 10 days.
Used in the manufacture of jewels and called American (artificial) diamonds, the stones numbering over 35,000 packed in black paper were hidden in packages of edible items and cosmetics, the officials told IANS.
The consignee, identified as A. Muthu Kumar from Aranthangi in Pudukkottai district, some 350 km south of here, denied any knowledge of the package loaded from the Klang harbour in Malaysia though he admitted having worked there for some time. He was being questioned further, they added.
On June 30, a similar consignment worth Rs.40 million was seized.
