A Malaysian court ruled Monday the government must return dozens of watches seized in a crackdown on LGBTQ-themed Swatch timepieces last year, a federal counsel told AFP.

The 172 watches, collectively worth around $14,000, were seized in raids of Swatch stores across Malaysia in May 2023.&nbsp;

At the time, an official said the watches were taken because they bore the "LGBTQ" acronym and depicted the six colours globally synonymous with the rainbow Pride flag.

The government in Malaysia – where homosexuality is outlawed and LGBTQ people face widespread discrimination – subsequently banned the rainbow-themed Swatch timepieces, warning that owners or sellers could face up to three years in prison.

Authorities had claimed the watches "may harm... the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting and normalising the LGBTQ+ movement that is not accepted by the general public".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-top-court-affirms-housing-inheritance-rights-for-same-sex-couples-779268">Hong Kong top court affirms housing, inheritance rights for same-sex couples</a>

In its suit challenging the seizure, Swatch said its products "did not promote any sexual activity, but merely a fun and joyous expression of peace and love".

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Monday ruled the interior ministry must return the watches to Swatch within 14 days, the government's lawyer Sallehuddin Ali told AFP.

"The judge also said the prohibition order on the watches was only issued and gazetted in August 2023, after the seizures (of watches) in May, so at the time of the seizure, the applicant (Swatch) did not commit any offence." &nbsp;

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry will honour the court order.

"The home ministry must respect the decision, or else it would be viewed as contempt of court," he said at a press conference.

Asked if the ministry will file an appeal, Saifuddin said the government's legal team will "need to examine the basis of the judgement thoroughly" before deciding.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A Malaysian court ruled Monday the government must return dozens of watches seized in a crackdown on LGBTQ-themed Swatch timepieces last year, a federal counsel told AFP.

A Malaysian court ruled Monday the government must return dozens of watches seized in a crackdown on LGBTQ-themed Swatch timepieces last year, a federal counsel told AFP. The 172 watches, collectively worth around $14,000, were seized in raids of Swatch stores across Malaysia in May 2023. At the time, an official said the watches were taken because they bore the "LGBTQ" acronym and depicted the six colours globally synonymous with the rainbow Pride flag. The government in Malaysia – where homosexuality is outlawed and LGBTQ people face widespread discrimination – subsequently banned the rainbow-themed Swatch timepieces, warning that owners or sellers could face up to three years in prison. Authorities had claimed the watches "may harm... the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting and normalising the LGBTQ+ movement that is not accepted by the general public". Also read | Hong Kong top court affirms housing, inheritance rights for same-sex couples In its suit challenging the seizure, Swatch said its products "did not promote any sexual activity, but merely a fun and joyous expression of peace and love". The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Monday ruled the interior ministry must return the watches to Swatch within 14 days, the government's lawyer Sallehuddin Ali told AFP. "The judge also said the prohibition order on the watches was only issued and gazetted in August 2023, after the seizures (of watches) in May, so at the time of the seizure, the applicant (Swatch) did not commit any offence." Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry will honour the court order. "The home ministry must respect the decision, or else it would be viewed as contempt of court," he said at a press conference. Asked if the ministry will file an appeal, Saifuddin said the government's legal team will "need to examine the basis of the judgement thoroughly" before deciding. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Malaysia court orders to return seized LGBTQ-themed watches

Romanian authorities towed away a fleet of luxury vehicles Saturday from the home of the divisive social media personality Andrew Tate, days after he was placed under house arrest following new human trafficking allegations.

Romanian authorities took away luxury cars from Andrew Tate's residence

India is in touch with the Iranian authorities both in Tehran and in Delhi to "ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals", say sources on 17 Indian nationals onboard MSC Aries seized by Iran's IRGC.&nbsp;

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized the MSC Aries, an Israel-linked Portuguese-flagged commercial vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The ship, en route from the United Arab Emirates to India's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), was intercepted by IRGC forces.&nbsp;

Iran reports indicate that the vessel was affiliated with the London-based company Zodiac Maritime, owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Onboard the MSC Aries were approximately 17 Indian nationals, WION has learned. The fate of the crew and the vessel remains uncertain, with the vessel right now under Iranian custody.

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Iran's IRGC Seizes Cargo Ship Tied to Israel<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>'s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces have seized a cargo ship associated with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Israeli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Israeli</a> regime. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IRGC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IRGC</a> navy detained the vessel in the Persian Gulf region earlier on Saturday. 
According to some reports,… <a href="https://t.co/yphphCCPA8">pic.twitter.com/yphphCCPA8</a>
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In the last 24 hours, tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated significantly, amidst threats and counter-threats. The situation has been fraught with anticipation, as various US government&nbsp;sources reported that Iran could potentially strike Israel within a day.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-accused-of-conducting-raid-on-ship-near-strait-of-hormuz-official-states-710852">Iran accused of conducting raid on ship near Strait of Hormuz, official states</a>

The Israeli government and the War Cabinet have been holding emergency security situation assessments in light of the warnings that Iran's response to the Damascus strike could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-asks-philippines-to-stop-provocations-if-it-wants-to-ease-tensions-710846">China asks Philippines to 'stop provocations' if it wants to 'ease tensions'</a>

This came after reports of an Israeli strike in Damascus that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members, including a senior commander, Mohammad Reza&nbsp;Zahedi.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sydney-attack-five-killed-in-stabbing-horror-inside-sydney-mall-eight-injured-taken-to-hospital-710869">Sydney attack: Six killed in stabbing horror inside Sydney mall, eight injured taken to hospital</a>

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The US has reportedly repositioned warships to help defend Israel. Meanwhile, several countries, including&nbsp;India, have issued advisories for its nationals that they should not visit Israel or Iran.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India is in touch with the Iranian authorities both in Tehran and in Delhi to "ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals", say sources on 17 Indian nationals onboard MSC Aries seized by Iran's IRGC.

India is in touch with the Iranian authorities both in Tehran and in Delhi to "ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals", say sources on 17 Indian nationals onboard MSC Aries seized by Iran's IRGC. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized the MSC Aries, an Israel-linked Portuguese-flagged commercial vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The ship, en route from the United Arab Emirates to India's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), was intercepted by IRGC forces. Iran reports indicate that the vessel was affiliated with the London-based company Zodiac Maritime, owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Onboard the MSC Aries were approximately 17 Indian nationals, WION has learned. The fate of the crew and the vessel remains uncertain, with the vessel right now under Iranian custody. Iran's IRGC Seizes Cargo Ship Tied to Israel#Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces have seized a cargo ship associated with the #Israeli regime. The #IRGC navy detained the vessel in the Persian Gulf region earlier on Saturday. According to some reports,… pic.twitter.com/yphphCCPA8 — Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) April 13, 2024 × In the last 24 hours, tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated significantly, amidst threats and counter-threats. The situation has been fraught with anticipation, as various US government sources reported that Iran could potentially strike Israel within a day. Also Read | Iran accused of conducting raid on ship near Strait of Hormuz, official states The Israeli government and the War Cabinet have been holding emergency security situation assessments in light of the warnings that Iran's response to the Damascus strike could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours. Also Read | China asks Philippines to 'stop provocations' if it wants to 'ease tensions' This came after reports of an Israeli strike in Damascus that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members, including a senior commander, Mohammad Reza Zahedi. Watch | Sydney attack: Six killed in stabbing horror inside Sydney mall, eight injured taken to hospital × The US has reportedly repositioned warships to help defend Israel. Meanwhile, several countries, including India, have issued advisories for its nationals that they should not visit Israel or Iran.

India in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure release of 17 Indian nationals aboard seized vessel: Sources

Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman in international waters on Thursday, the US&nbsp;Navy said, the latest in a series of seizures or attacks on commercial vessels in sensitive Gulf waters since 2019.

Iran's army said it had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it collided with an Iranian boat, injuring several crewmen, Iranian state media reported.

"Two members of the boat's crew are missing and several were injured due to the collision of the ship with the boat," an army statement said.

The US&nbsp;Navy identified the vessel as the Advantage Sweet which, according to Refinitiv ship tracking data, is a Suezmax crude tanker which had been chartered by oil major Chevron and had last docked in Kuwait.

The vessel's destination was listed as the US&nbsp;Gulf of Mexico port of Houston, ship tracking data showed.

Its manager is listed as Genel Denizcilik Nakliyati AS, a Turkey-based company which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Marshall Islands ship registry did not also immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Iran's continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy," the US&nbsp;Navy said, adding that Iran has in the past two years unlawfully seized at least five commercial vessels in the Middle East.

The US&nbsp;Navy added that after sending a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the situation, "we have since been able to determine the IRIN (Iranian navy) conducted the seizure".

Iranian authorities did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

About a fifth of the world's crude oil and oil products passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow choke point between Iran and Oman which the Advantage Sweet had passed through, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa.

<h2 data-testid="Heading">Boarded via helicopter</h2>

Maritime security company Ambrey said the vessel had been boarded via helicopter. "The vessel did not show any signs of conducting evasive manoeuvres prior to the incident," it said.

Munro Anderson, with maritime security company Dryad, said separately that Iran usually detained vessels for "leverage or signalling".

“The working hypothesis at the moment is that it could either be an arbitrary detention of a vessel by Iran in response to the US&nbsp;sailing its first unmanned vessel through the region last week - as a show of force," he said. "Or, it could be in response to the sanctions on the 24th (of April) by the US&nbsp;against personnel in Iran connected to the IRGC (elite Revolutionary Guards)."

Since 2019 there have been a series of attacks on shipping in the strategic Gulf waters at times of tension between the United States and Iran.

Iran last November&nbsp;released&nbsp;two Greek-flagged tankers it had seized in the Gulf in May in response to the confiscation of oil by the United States from an Iranian-flagged tanker off the Greek coast.

Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with world powers have stalled since September over a range of issues, including the Islamic Republic's violent crackdown on popular protests, Tehran's sale of drones to Russia and acceleration of its nuclear program.

The US&nbsp;Navy, whose Fifth Fleet is based at the Gulf island state of Bahrain, called on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) to immediately release the tanker.

The ship issued a distress call during the seizure, the US&nbsp;Navy statement said.

According to the International Maritime Organisation shipping database, the Advantage Sweet is owned by a China-registered company called SPDBFL No One Hundred &amp; Eighty-Seven (Tianjin) Ship Leasing Co Ltd.

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Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman in international waters on Thursday, the US Navy said, the latest in a series of seizures or attacks on commercial vessels in sensitive Gulf waters since 2019.

Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman in international waters on Thursday, the US Navy said, the latest in a series of seizures or attacks on commercial vessels in sensitive Gulf waters since 2019. Iran's army said it had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it collided with an Iranian boat, injuring several crewmen, Iranian state media reported. "Two members of the boat's crew are missing and several were injured due to the collision of the ship with the boat," an army statement said. The US Navy identified the vessel as the Advantage Sweet which, according to Refinitiv ship tracking data, is a Suezmax crude tanker which had been chartered by oil major Chevron and had last docked in Kuwait. The vessel's destination was listed as the US Gulf of Mexico port of Houston, ship tracking data showed. Its manager is listed as Genel Denizcilik Nakliyati AS, a Turkey-based company which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Marshall Islands ship registry did not also immediately respond to a request for comment. "Iran's continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy," the US Navy said, adding that Iran has in the past two years unlawfully seized at least five commercial vessels in the Middle East. The US Navy added that after sending a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the situation, "we have since been able to determine the IRIN (Iranian navy) conducted the seizure". Iranian authorities did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. About a fifth of the world's crude oil and oil products passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow choke point between Iran and Oman which the Advantage Sweet had passed through, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa. Boarded via helicopter Maritime security company Ambrey said the vessel had been boarded via helicopter. "The vessel did not show any signs of conducting evasive manoeuvres prior to the incident," it said. Munro Anderson, with maritime security company Dryad, said separately that Iran usually detained vessels for "leverage or signalling". “The working hypothesis at the moment is that it could either be an arbitrary detention of a vessel by Iran in response to the US sailing its first unmanned vessel through the region last week - as a show of force," he said. "Or, it could be in response to the sanctions on the 24th (of April) by the US against personnel in Iran connected to the IRGC (elite Revolutionary Guards)." Since 2019 there have been a series of attacks on shipping in the strategic Gulf waters at times of tension between the United States and Iran. Iran last November released two Greek-flagged tankers it had seized in the Gulf in May in response to the confiscation of oil by the United States from an Iranian-flagged tanker off the Greek coast. Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with world powers have stalled since September over a range of issues, including the Islamic Republic's violent crackdown on popular protests, Tehran's sale of drones to Russia and acceleration of its nuclear program. The US Navy, whose Fifth Fleet is based at the Gulf island state of Bahrain, called on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) to immediately release the tanker. The ship issued a distress call during the seizure, the US Navy statement said. According to the International Maritime Organisation shipping database, the Advantage Sweet is owned by a China-registered company called SPDBFL No One Hundred & Eighty-Seven (Tianjin) Ship Leasing Co Ltd. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iran seizes oil tanker in Gulf: US Navy

In a four-month police operation across 28 countries, several priceless artefacts, which include paintings, musical instruments, furniture, ancient coins and statuettes, have been seized, Interpol said on Wednesday. &nbsp;

In the operation carried out between June and September last year, more than 9,400 items were recovered and 52 people arrested. The Illicit trafficking of cultural goods was targetted in it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-adds-160-russian-oligarchs-senators-to-sanctions-blacklist-460584" hreflang="en">European Union adds 160 Russian oligarchs, senators to sanctions blacklist</a>

More seizures and arrests are expected as over 170 investigations are still ongoing. The investigators “continue their pursuit of those spoiling and destroying cultural heritage”, the international criminal police operation said. &nbsp;

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OPERATION PANDORA VI results just released: 
🚨 52 arrests 
🌍 28 countries 
🗿 9,400+ cultural artefacts seized 
 
Strong cooperation between <a href="https://twitter.com/guardiacivil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@guardiacivil</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Europol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Europol</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/INTERPOL_HQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INTERPOL_HQ</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/WCO_OMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WCO_OMD</a>, united to fight the illicit trade of cultural goods. Full story 👇<a href="https://t.co/UDymHBTDXb">https://t.co/UDymHBTDXb</a>
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/INTERPOL_HQ/status/1501516552063049728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Led by Spain, the Operation Pandora VI, involved actions on airports, at border crossing points, in auction houses, museums and private homes. For suspicious sales, online markets were also monitored. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/laughable-us-denies-russian-accusations-of-biowarfare-labs-in-ukraine-460758" hreflang="en">'Laughable': US denies Russian accusations of biowarfare labs in Ukraine</a>

Since its launch in 2016, Operation Pandora, which is coordinated by Interpol, Europol and the World Customs Organisation, has led to the recovery of 147,050 cultural artefacts and the arrest of 407 people. &nbsp;

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⚠️ Operation Pandora VI leads to 52 arrests linked to trafficking of cultural goods ⚠️ 
 
9,408 cultural artefacts were seized during the operation led by 🇪🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/guardiacivil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@guardiacivil</a> &amp; coordinated internationally by Europol, <a href="https://twitter.com/INTERPOL_HQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INTERPOL_HQ</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/WCO_OMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WCO_OMD</a>. 
 
More⤵️<a href="https://t.co/ilGmnxct6c">https://t.co/ilGmnxct6c</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EMPACT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EMPACT</a> <a href="https://t.co/JM7Htbne4V">pic.twitter.com/JM7Htbne4V</a>
— Europol (@Europol) <a href="https://twitter.com/Europol/status/1501517086283214852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Around 4,231 archaeological objects, including about 3,000 coins, and&nbsp;buckles, rings, bells and pieces of pottery, looted from archaeological sites by an individual were seized by French customs officials. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a four-month police operation across 28 countries, several priceless artefacts, which include paintings, musical instruments, furniture, ancient coins and statuettes, have been seized, Interpol said on Wednesday.

In a four-month police operation across 28 countries, several priceless artefacts, which include paintings, musical instruments, furniture, ancient coins and statuettes, have been seized, Interpol said on Wednesday. In the operation carried out between June and September last year, more than 9,400 items were recovered and 52 people arrested. The Illicit trafficking of cultural goods was targetted in it. Also Read: European Union adds 160 Russian oligarchs, senators to sanctions blacklist More seizures and arrests are expected as over 170 investigations are still ongoing. The investigators “continue their pursuit of those spoiling and destroying cultural heritage”, the international criminal police operation said. OPERATION PANDORA VI results just released: 🚨 52 arrests 🌍 28 countries 🗿 9,400+ cultural artefacts seized Strong cooperation between @guardiacivil, @Europol, @INTERPOL_HQ and @WCO_OMD, united to fight the illicit trade of cultural goods. Full story 👇https://t.co/UDymHBTDXb — INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) March 9, 2022 × Led by Spain, the Operation Pandora VI, involved actions on airports, at border crossing points, in auction houses, museums and private homes. For suspicious sales, online markets were also monitored. Also Read | 'Laughable': US denies Russian accusations of biowarfare labs in Ukraine Since its launch in 2016, Operation Pandora, which is coordinated by Interpol, Europol and the World Customs Organisation, has led to the recovery of 147,050 cultural artefacts and the arrest of 407 people. ⚠️ Operation Pandora VI leads to 52 arrests linked to trafficking of cultural goods ⚠️ 9,408 cultural artefacts were seized during the operation led by 🇪🇸 @guardiacivil & coordinated internationally by Europol, @INTERPOL_HQ & @WCO_OMD. More⤵️https://t.co/ilGmnxct6c#EMPACT pic.twitter.com/JM7Htbne4V — Europol (@Europol) March 9, 2022 × Around 4,231 archaeological objects, including about 3,000 coins, and buckles, rings, bells and pieces of pottery, looted from archaeological sites by an individual were seized by French customs officials. (With inputs from agencies)

In four-month police op, several priceless artefacts seized in 28 countries

A nearly $600 million luxury yacht, which is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, has been seized by German authorities. &nbsp;

Usmanov has faced European Union sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said a Forbes report, citing sources in the yacht industry. &nbsp;

Dilbar, which is 512-foot yacht, was taken to the northern port of Hamburg, the report said. &nbsp;

The yacht was undergoing a refit in shipyards of Blohm + Voss, it said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-unravel-truth-iccs-prosecutor-starts-investigation-into-possible-war-crimes-in-ukraine-458350">ICC's prosecutor starts investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine</a>

The German government has frozen the asset and employees working on the vessel did not appear for work on Wednesday. &nbsp;

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Alisher Usmanov Dilbar yacht will be seized because of sanctions 🙆‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/cwdv69f9x5">pic.twitter.com/cwdv69f9x5</a>
— Lethabo (@Cheetahplains) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cheetahplains/status/1498965293443559432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As per a decision published on the official journal, EU has imposed sanctions on the Russian tycoon and metals magnate and 25 other prominent people for the invasion in Ukraine. &nbsp;

Around five superyachts, which are owned by Russian billionaires, have been anchored or could be seen cruising on Wednesday in Maldives. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-pick-for-next-ukraine-president-who-is-viktor-yanukovych-458205">Putin's pick for next Ukraine president: Who is Viktor Yanukovych?</a>

The island nation in Indian Ocean does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, ship tracking data showed. &nbsp;

To put Russia on back foot, several countries have also imposed crippling sanctions on the financial sector of the country. It includes a&nbsp;block on its access to the global financial system, SWIFT. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A nearly $600 million luxury yacht, which is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, has been seized by German authorities. Usmanov has faced European Union sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said a Forbes report, citing sources in the yacht industry.

A nearly $600 million luxury yacht, which is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, has been seized by German authorities. Usmanov has faced European Union sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said a Forbes report, citing sources in the yacht industry. Dilbar, which is 512-foot yacht, was taken to the northern port of Hamburg, the report said. The yacht was undergoing a refit in shipyards of Blohm + Voss, it said. Also Read: ICC's prosecutor starts investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine The German government has frozen the asset and employees working on the vessel did not appear for work on Wednesday. Alisher Usmanov Dilbar yacht will be seized because of sanctions 🙆‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/cwdv69f9x5 — Lethabo (@Cheetahplains) March 2, 2022 × As per a decision published on the official journal, EU has imposed sanctions on the Russian tycoon and metals magnate and 25 other prominent people for the invasion in Ukraine. Around five superyachts, which are owned by Russian billionaires, have been anchored or could be seen cruising on Wednesday in Maldives. Also Read: Putin's pick for next Ukraine president: Who is Viktor Yanukovych? The island nation in Indian Ocean does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, ship tracking data showed. To put Russia on back foot, several countries have also imposed crippling sanctions on the financial sector of the country. It includes a block on its access to the global financial system, SWIFT. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian billionaire’s $600 million luxury yacht seized by German authorities, says report  

Drug smugglers around the world have been making several attempts to bring contraband into one or the other innovative form nowadays. &nbsp;

In yet another failed attempt, nearly $3 million worth of methamphetamine, which was hidden in small packages within a shipment of onions, was seized by US Customs and Border Protection officers. &nbsp;

The catch was made at a commercial facility in San Diego, the agency said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-ukraine-conflict-us-uk-eu-to-put-crippling-sanctions-on-russian-central-bank-block-swift-456943" hreflang="en">Over Ukraine conflict, US, UK, EU to put crippling sanctions on Russian central bank, block SWIFT</a>

In a news release on Friday, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that federal officers at the Otay Mesa port-of-entry facility on last Sunday encountered a 46-year-old man, who was driving a tractor trailer containing a large shipment "manifested as onions." &nbsp;

In initial inspection of the vehicle, an officer directed the driver and shipment to a more intensive examination, which was conducted by the agency's K-9 team, the release said. &nbsp;

A detector dog&nbsp;alerted the officers. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-warship-sailing-in-taiwan-strait-provocative-456800" hreflang="en">China says US warship sailing in Taiwan Strait 'provocative'</a>

Around 1,197 packages of meth, which was roughly 1,336 pounds, were found. It's worth an estimated value of $2.9 million, as per CBP. &nbsp;

The packages, which were mixed with the onion shipment in sacks, "were shaped into small globes with a white covering, designed to blend into the onions they were hidden with," the release said. &nbsp;

The driver, an unidentified Mexico citizen, has been arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. He has been handed over to the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) for "further disposition," as per CBP. The tractor&nbsp;and trailer have also been seized, the agency said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Drug smugglers around the world have been making several attempts to bring contraband into one or the other innovative form nowadays. In yet another failed attempt, nearly $3 million worth of methamphetamine, which was hidden in small packages within a shipment of onions, was seized by US Customs and Border Protection officers.

Drug smugglers around the world have been making several attempts to bring contraband into one or the other innovative form nowadays. In yet another failed attempt, nearly $3 million worth of methamphetamine, which was hidden in small packages within a shipment of onions, was seized by US Customs and Border Protection officers. The catch was made at a commercial facility in San Diego, the agency said. Also Read: Over Ukraine conflict, US, UK, EU to put crippling sanctions on Russian central bank, block SWIFT In a news release on Friday, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that federal officers at the Otay Mesa port-of-entry facility on last Sunday encountered a 46-year-old man, who was driving a tractor trailer containing a large shipment "manifested as onions." In initial inspection of the vehicle, an officer directed the driver and shipment to a more intensive examination, which was conducted by the agency's K-9 team, the release said. A detector dog alerted the officers. Also Read: China says US warship sailing in Taiwan Strait 'provocative' Around 1,197 packages of meth, which was roughly 1,336 pounds, were found. It's worth an estimated value of $2.9 million, as per CBP. The packages, which were mixed with the onion shipment in sacks, "were shaped into small globes with a white covering, designed to blend into the onions they were hidden with," the release said. The driver, an unidentified Mexico citizen, has been arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. He has been handed over to the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) for "further disposition," as per CBP. The tractor and trailer have also been seized, the agency said. (With inputs from agencies)

Drugs or onions? $3 million worth methamphetamine seized in US

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday foiled a major bid by terrorists to smuggle in weapons from Pakistan along the International Border (IB) and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, officials said.

"The BSF, Jammu today foiled a weapon smuggling attempt from across the International Border in Samba area and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition," BSF DIG S P S Sandhu said.

He further said the seizure by BSF troops included four pistols, eight pistol magazines and 232 rounds of ammunition.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-army-vs-pakistan-army-how-two-military-forces-stack-up-against-each-other-417849">India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other</a>

The DIG said further details are expected to follow.

There have been several incidents of weapons and narcotic smuggling attempts done by cross-border terrorists to drop weapons on this side of the border through drones over the past six months.

It may be recalled that an arms consignment including one AK assault rifle, three magazines and 30 rounds believed to have been dropped by a drone from Pakistan had been recovered last Saturday by police near the International Border from Sounjana village of Phalain Mandal, about six km from the IB.

On September 27, BSF recovered four pistols, eight magazines, 100 rounds of ammunition, a packet of narcotics weighing about one kg along with fake Indian currency worth Rs 2,75,000, from the International Border in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district, officials said. 
&nbsp;

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday foiled a major bid by terrorists to smuggle in weapons from Pakistan along the International Border (IB) and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, officials said.

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday foiled a major bid by terrorists to smuggle in weapons from Pakistan along the International Border (IB) and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, officials said. "The BSF, Jammu today foiled a weapon smuggling attempt from across the International Border in Samba area and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition," BSF DIG S P S Sandhu said. He further said the seizure by BSF troops included four pistols, eight pistol magazines and 232 rounds of ammunition. Also Read | India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other The DIG said further details are expected to follow. There have been several incidents of weapons and narcotic smuggling attempts done by cross-border terrorists to drop weapons on this side of the border through drones over the past six months. It may be recalled that an arms consignment including one AK assault rifle, three magazines and 30 rounds believed to have been dropped by a drone from Pakistan had been recovered last Saturday by police near the International Border from Sounjana village of Phalain Mandal, about six km from the IB. On September 27, BSF recovered four pistols, eight magazines, 100 rounds of ammunition, a packet of narcotics weighing about one kg along with fake Indian currency worth Rs 2,75,000, from the International Border in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district, officials said.

BSF foils bid to bring in weapons from Pakistan along International Border, big cache of arms seized

Brandon Hole, the 19-year-old man who the police say fatally shot eight people at a FedEx facility Thursday night, legally purchased two semi-automatic rifles he used in the attack just a few months after the police seized a shotgun from him, the chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Saturday.

In March 2020, the police seized a shotgun from Hole after his mother raised concerns about his mental state, records show. But, Chief Randal Taylor said, the fact that Hole was legally able to make the more recent gun purchases indicated that — despite his mother’s warning and the police seizure of a gun — the authorities had not deemed him subject to Indiana’s so-called red flag law, which bars people from possessing a firearm if they are found by a judge to present a dangerous risk.

The revelation came as Indianapolis mourned the deaths of workers at the sprawling FedEx facility near the edge of city limits. The deaths, and the gunshot wounds sustained by at least seven others during a shift change on a chilly night, jolted a nation where mass killings have become commonplace.

At least four of the victims were members of the Sikh community, and the attack renewed the fears among American Sikhs, who have over the years been accosted for wearing turbans and attacked in a house of worship.

“The shock wave went through the entire Sikh community,” said Kanwal Prakash Singh, who has watched the Indianapolis-area Sikh population grow from a handful of individuals to thousands since he arrived in the late 1960s. “Why would a 19-year-old,” he asked, “do that to these innocent people?”

The family of Hole, who was said to be a former worker at the facility, released a statement Saturday that apologized to the victims and said, “We tried to get him the help he needed.” He killed himself after the attack, the authorities said. They have not said whether hate or bias might have played a role in the attack.

Under Indiana’s red flag law, the authorities have two weeks after taking someone’s weapon to argue before a judge that the person is unstable and should be barred from possessing a gun for a period of time. Taylor said he was unsure whether a hearing like that ever took place in the case of Hole, although the police never returned the shotgun they had seized last year.

“I don’t know how we held onto it,” Taylor said in an interview Saturday night. “But it’s good that we did.”

However, the chief added, Hole went on to “legally purchase a much more powerful weapon than a shotgun.” On Saturday night, the Police Department announced that the two assault-style rifles that Hole used in Thursday’s attack were bought in July and September 2020.

Those purchases, the chief suggested, would have been possible only if a red flag determination had never been made. Red flag laws, which exist in more than a dozen states, moved to the center of the national conversation about gun regulation after a massacre at a Florida high school in 2018.

It remains uncertain whether a judge ruled against a red flag determination in Hole’s case or whether prosecutors took his case before a judge at all.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to questions about whether they pursued a red flag ruling against Hole. A search of online court records did not reveal any such case associated with his name.

Under Indiana’s law, a person is considered dangerous if he “presents an imminent risk” to himself or others, or if he fits certain other criteria, including a documented propensity for violent conduct.

The seizure of weapons under these laws is often temporary. If the judge decides the person is so unstable they should not be permitted to have guns, the seizure stands and the person is unable to possess a firearm for a period of months.

Even if a judge decides that someone should not be allowed to possess firearms, that determination lasts for only a year. After that, prosecutors must again prove that the person is unfit to possess firearms, or the ruling is lifted.

As vigils took place Saturday across Indianapolis, flags atop the Indiana Statehouse were at half-staff. In the parking lot of a Baptist church on the city’s west side, activists whose families had been affected by gun violence gathered to express their support. And for the Sikh community, which has grown in numbers in Central Indiana in recent decades, the size of the losses were overwhelming.

Members of the Sikh community still recall the painful aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, when, in a wave of anti-Muslim sentiment, some Americans also targeted Sikhs with taunts of “Go home” or “Osama bin Laden.” And Sikhs continue to mourn the killing of six people by a white supremacist at a Wisconsin temple in 2012.

“We don’t know whether this was targeted or a coincidence,” said Dr. Sukhwinder Singh, 29, a leader at his gurdwara, or Sikh temple, southeast of Indianapolis. “We are all so numb. This is something that will take weeks to process.”

At Sikh temples across Indianapolis, members gathered Saturday to mourn, pray and reflect on the circumstances of the shooting. Many of them described the victims from their community as hard workers, dedicated to their families and committed to their faith, which is known for its tradition of service, including supporting victims of natural disasters and organizing food drives during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many Sikhs were among the 875 employees at FedEx’s 300,000-square foot sorting facility near Indianapolis International Airport where parcels are whisked away into an automated system where they are digitally scanned, weighed and measured, shuttled around by conveyor belt and sorted. A current job posting for package handlers at the facility promises up to $17 per hour.

Jaswinder Singh, a new hire at FedEx who was excited to receive his first paycheck, was a daily presence at a temple in Greenwood, just outside Indianapolis, where he would cut vegetables for temple visitors, mop the floors and serve food. He sometimes stopped by the temple before heading to work.

“He was a simple man,” said Harjap Singh Dillon, whose sister was married to one of Jaswinder Singh’s sons. “He used to pray and meditate a lot, and he did community service.”

John Weisert, who at 74 was the oldest victim, had once been a mechanical engineer and liked to play country and western and bluegrass music on his guitar, said his son, Mike. He had been considering retirement.

“He was hunched and arched over with his back,” Mike Weisert said. “The job was killing him by inches, slowly. His career had been winding down, and some of us were worried.”

Matthew Alexander, 32, had once attended Butler University. He loved to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball and had worked at FedEx for several years, according to a friend, Ryan Sheets. He had recently bought a home in Avon, an Indianapolis suburb, Sheets said.

“Matt was someone who was the perfect friend,” Sheets said. “Not a jealous bone in his body; he was generous.”

Samaria Blackwell, 19, had worked as a lifeguard and dreamed of becoming a police officer, her parents said.

“On the court or the soccer field, she had a tough game face, but that quickly turned to a smile outside of competition,” Blackwell’s parents said in a statement provided by a family friend. “Samaria loved people, especially those of advanced age. She always found time to invest in the older generation, whether it was by listening or serving.”

Karli Smith, also 19, was a softball player and fan of hip-hop music who graduated from high school last year. “She was the kind of girl that if she saw someone having a bad day, she’d go out of her way to make them smile,” said her brother, Brandon Smith.

Amarjit Sekhon, who had two teenage sons, was a regular at Sikh services, where she prepared lentils and served food to visitors, said Jigna Shah, who got to know Sekhon through their temple. “She was a very sweet person,” Shah said. “She was like an aunt to our family.”

Rimpi Girn said Sekhon, her aunt, had moved to Indiana from Ohio to be closer to family. Sekhon began working at FedEx about six months ago on an overnight shift from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m., Girn said, and had two sons, ages 14 and 19.

“We can’t even think of what to tell him,” Girn said of the younger son. “All of a sudden last night, his mom went to work, and she never came back today.”

Girn also knew Jasvinder Kaur, the mother of her sister-in-law. She said Kaur had planned to make a yogurt recipe that she had perfected for her granddaughter’s second birthday on Saturday and hoped to soon get a driver’s license.

“And today we’re gathering to plan a funeral,” Girn said.

As the Sikh population in Indianapolis grew over the past few decades, as many as 10 temples opened across the city and its suburbs. A Sikh Day parade became part of the city’s social calendar. New community members continued to come to Indiana, some directly from India, but many others from states on the East and West coasts.

Amarjeet Kaur Johal, another of the victims, was a grandmother in her 60s who loved to watch Indian soap operas. The matriarch of her family of 25, she followed that path to Indiana. Like many others in the community, she moved to the United States decades ago to be closer to her children and their families, part of a broader wave of Sikh migration to North America that began in earnest in the 1980s. She lived for a time in California before coming to Indianapolis.

Johal, a FedEx employee for about four years, had worked a half-shift Thursday and was planning to celebrate a relative’s birthday when she got home that night. She was waiting for her car pool outside the building when she was shot, a grandson said.

“We all told her there was no need for her to work,” said Komal Chohan, 25, a granddaughter. “She could stay home and live leisurely, spending time with her grandchildren. But she wanted something of her own, she wanted to work, and she was great at her job. She built a community at FedEx.”

Brandon Hole, the 19-year-old man who the police say fatally shot eight people at a FedEx facility Thursday night, legally purchased two semi-automatic rifles he used in the attack just a few months after the police seized a shotgun from him, the chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Saturday.

Brandon Hole, the 19-year-old man who the police say fatally shot eight people at a FedEx facility Thursday night, legally purchased two semi-automatic rifles he used in the attack just a few months after the police seized a shotgun from him, the chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Saturday. In March 2020, the police seized a shotgun from Hole after his mother raised concerns about his mental state, records show. But, Chief Randal Taylor said, the fact that Hole was legally able to make the more recent gun purchases indicated that — despite his mother’s warning and the police seizure of a gun — the authorities had not deemed him subject to Indiana’s so-called red flag law, which bars people from possessing a firearm if they are found by a judge to present a dangerous risk. The revelation came as Indianapolis mourned the deaths of workers at the sprawling FedEx facility near the edge of city limits. The deaths, and the gunshot wounds sustained by at least seven others during a shift change on a chilly night, jolted a nation where mass killings have become commonplace. At least four of the victims were members of the Sikh community, and the attack renewed the fears among American Sikhs, who have over the years been accosted for wearing turbans and attacked in a house of worship. “The shock wave went through the entire Sikh community,” said Kanwal Prakash Singh, who has watched the Indianapolis-area Sikh population grow from a handful of individuals to thousands since he arrived in the late 1960s. “Why would a 19-year-old,” he asked, “do that to these innocent people?” The family of Hole, who was said to be a former worker at the facility, released a statement Saturday that apologized to the victims and said, “We tried to get him the help he needed.” He killed himself after the attack, the authorities said. They have not said whether hate or bias might have played a role in the attack. Under Indiana’s red flag law, the authorities have two weeks after taking someone’s weapon to argue before a judge that the person is unstable and should be barred from possessing a gun for a period of time. Taylor said he was unsure whether a hearing like that ever took place in the case of Hole, although the police never returned the shotgun they had seized last year. “I don’t know how we held onto it,” Taylor said in an interview Saturday night. “But it’s good that we did.” However, the chief added, Hole went on to “legally purchase a much more powerful weapon than a shotgun.” On Saturday night, the Police Department announced that the two assault-style rifles that Hole used in Thursday’s attack were bought in July and September 2020. Those purchases, the chief suggested, would have been possible only if a red flag determination had never been made. Red flag laws, which exist in more than a dozen states, moved to the center of the national conversation about gun regulation after a massacre at a Florida high school in 2018. It remains uncertain whether a judge ruled against a red flag determination in Hole’s case or whether prosecutors took his case before a judge at all. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to questions about whether they pursued a red flag ruling against Hole. A search of online court records did not reveal any such case associated with his name. Under Indiana’s law, a person is considered dangerous if he “presents an imminent risk” to himself or others, or if he fits certain other criteria, including a documented propensity for violent conduct. The seizure of weapons under these laws is often temporary. If the judge decides the person is so unstable they should not be permitted to have guns, the seizure stands and the person is unable to possess a firearm for a period of months. Even if a judge decides that someone should not be allowed to possess firearms, that determination lasts for only a year. After that, prosecutors must again prove that the person is unfit to possess firearms, or the ruling is lifted. As vigils took place Saturday across Indianapolis, flags atop the Indiana Statehouse were at half-staff. In the parking lot of a Baptist church on the city’s west side, activists whose families had been affected by gun violence gathered to express their support. And for the Sikh community, which has grown in numbers in Central Indiana in recent decades, the size of the losses were overwhelming. Members of the Sikh community still recall the painful aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, when, in a wave of anti-Muslim sentiment, some Americans also targeted Sikhs with taunts of “Go home” or “Osama bin Laden.” And Sikhs continue to mourn the killing of six people by a white supremacist at a Wisconsin temple in 2012. “We don’t know whether this was targeted or a coincidence,” said Dr. Sukhwinder Singh, 29, a leader at his gurdwara, or Sikh temple, southeast of Indianapolis. “We are all so numb. This is something that will take weeks to process.” At Sikh temples across Indianapolis, members gathered Saturday to mourn, pray and reflect on the circumstances of the shooting. Many of them described the victims from their community as hard workers, dedicated to their families and committed to their faith, which is known for its tradition of service, including supporting victims of natural disasters and organizing food drives during the coronavirus pandemic. Many Sikhs were among the 875 employees at FedEx’s 300,000-square foot sorting facility near Indianapolis International Airport where parcels are whisked away into an automated system where they are digitally scanned, weighed and measured, shuttled around by conveyor belt and sorted. A current job posting for package handlers at the facility promises up to $17 per hour. Jaswinder Singh, a new hire at FedEx who was excited to receive his first paycheck, was a daily presence at a temple in Greenwood, just outside Indianapolis, where he would cut vegetables for temple visitors, mop the floors and serve food. He sometimes stopped by the temple before heading to work. “He was a simple man,” said Harjap Singh Dillon, whose sister was married to one of Jaswinder Singh’s sons. “He used to pray and meditate a lot, and he did community service.” John Weisert, who at 74 was the oldest victim, had once been a mechanical engineer and liked to play country and western and bluegrass music on his guitar, said his son, Mike. He had been considering retirement. “He was hunched and arched over with his back,” Mike Weisert said. “The job was killing him by inches, slowly. His career had been winding down, and some of us were worried.” Matthew Alexander, 32, had once attended Butler University. He loved to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball and had worked at FedEx for several years, according to a friend, Ryan Sheets. He had recently bought a home in Avon, an Indianapolis suburb, Sheets said. “Matt was someone who was the perfect friend,” Sheets said. “Not a jealous bone in his body; he was generous.” Samaria Blackwell, 19, had worked as a lifeguard and dreamed of becoming a police officer, her parents said. “On the court or the soccer field, she had a tough game face, but that quickly turned to a smile outside of competition,” Blackwell’s parents said in a statement provided by a family friend. “Samaria loved people, especially those of advanced age. She always found time to invest in the older generation, whether it was by listening or serving.” Karli Smith, also 19, was a softball player and fan of hip-hop music who graduated from high school last year. “She was the kind of girl that if she saw someone having a bad day, she’d go out of her way to make them smile,” said her brother, Brandon Smith. Amarjit Sekhon, who had two teenage sons, was a regular at Sikh services, where she prepared lentils and served food to visitors, said Jigna Shah, who got to know Sekhon through their temple. “She was a very sweet person,” Shah said. “She was like an aunt to our family.” Rimpi Girn said Sekhon, her aunt, had moved to Indiana from Ohio to be closer to family. Sekhon began working at FedEx about six months ago on an overnight shift from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m., Girn said, and had two sons, ages 14 and 19. “We can’t even think of what to tell him,” Girn said of the younger son. “All of a sudden last night, his mom went to work, and she never came back today.” Girn also knew Jasvinder Kaur, the mother of her sister-in-law. She said Kaur had planned to make a yogurt recipe that she had perfected for her granddaughter’s second birthday on Saturday and hoped to soon get a driver’s license. “And today we’re gathering to plan a funeral,” Girn said. As the Sikh population in Indianapolis grew over the past few decades, as many as 10 temples opened across the city and its suburbs. A Sikh Day parade became part of the city’s social calendar. New community members continued to come to Indiana, some directly from India, but many others from states on the East and West coasts. Amarjeet Kaur Johal, another of the victims, was a grandmother in her 60s who loved to watch Indian soap operas. The matriarch of her family of 25, she followed that path to Indiana. Like many others in the community, she moved to the United States decades ago to be closer to her children and their families, part of a broader wave of Sikh migration to North America that began in earnest in the 1980s. She lived for a time in California before coming to Indianapolis. Johal, a FedEx employee for about four years, had worked a half-shift Thursday and was planning to celebrate a relative’s birthday when she got home that night. She was waiting for her car pool outside the building when she was shot, a grandson said. “We all told her there was no need for her to work,” said Komal Chohan, 25, a granddaughter. “She could stay home and live leisurely, spending time with her grandchildren. But she wanted something of her own, she wanted to work, and she was great at her job. She built a community at FedEx.”

FedEx gunman bought 2 rifles after police seized his shotgun, chief says

In three separate cases read over Sunday and Monday, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 5.1 kg of gold worth 2 crores that were hidden by passengers&nbsp;in their personal effects.

Five members have been arrested in connection with these cases, including a person who was waiting outside the arrival lounge to collect the goods.&nbsp;

On Monday, based on information Salim, 40, of Ernakulam(Kerala) who had arrived by AirAsia flight FD 153 from Bangkok was intercepted at the exit on suspicion of carrying gold. He appeared to be walking in a suspicious manner and when questioned he gave evasive replies. On frisking him and his baggage, two gold cut bars which were wrapped with adhesive tape weighing 1 Kg, valued at Rs. 39 lakhs were found concealed in his socks. The bars were recovered and seized under the Customs Act 1962.

On questioning, he informed that the gold was to be handed over to an unknown person outside the airport. He was taken out of the airport and when one person approached him to take delivery, he was apprehended.

A senior customs official told WION, “People who come to collect the goods tend to escape, but this time around we have nabbed him. We have also learnt that the kingpin is based out of Kerala and are working on nabbing him as well. We have seized gold in larger volume as well, but this is higher than the usual recovery which amounts to a few lakhs."

In another case on Monday, based on inputs, a family of three Ashraf Ali, 59, Saira Banu, 50 and their son Mohammed Salih, 23, from Chennai who had arrived by same flight were intercepted at the exit. On personal search, 10 zip lock pouches containing rubbery material were recovered, concealed inside their innerwear. On extraction 2.5 gold valued at Rs. 97 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the parents were arrested.

On Sunday, based on an information one Saidalavi Kunnathodi, 51 of Malappuram (Kerala), who arrived from Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways Flight EY238 was intercepted at the exit. His checked-in baggage was taken up for examination. A water motor pump was found inside his baggage. On dismantling the pump a cylindrical gold bar weighing 1.64 Kg valued at Rs 64 lakhs was found concealed inside the rotor portion of the motor. The gold was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the passenger was arrested. 
&nbsp;

In three separate cases read over Sunday and Monday, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 5.1 kg of gold worth 2 crores that were hidden by passengers in their personal effects.

In three separate cases read over Sunday and Monday, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 5.1 kg of gold worth 2 crores that were hidden by passengers in their personal effects. Five members have been arrested in connection with these cases, including a person who was waiting outside the arrival lounge to collect the goods. On Monday, based on information Salim, 40, of Ernakulam(Kerala) who had arrived by AirAsia flight FD 153 from Bangkok was intercepted at the exit on suspicion of carrying gold. He appeared to be walking in a suspicious manner and when questioned he gave evasive replies. On frisking him and his baggage, two gold cut bars which were wrapped with adhesive tape weighing 1 Kg, valued at Rs. 39 lakhs were found concealed in his socks. The bars were recovered and seized under the Customs Act 1962. On questioning, he informed that the gold was to be handed over to an unknown person outside the airport. He was taken out of the airport and when one person approached him to take delivery, he was apprehended. A senior customs official told WION, “People who come to collect the goods tend to escape, but this time around we have nabbed him. We have also learnt that the kingpin is based out of Kerala and are working on nabbing him as well. We have seized gold in larger volume as well, but this is higher than the usual recovery which amounts to a few lakhs." In another case on Monday, based on inputs, a family of three Ashraf Ali, 59, Saira Banu, 50 and their son Mohammed Salih, 23, from Chennai who had arrived by same flight were intercepted at the exit. On personal search, 10 zip lock pouches containing rubbery material were recovered, concealed inside their innerwear. On extraction 2.5 gold valued at Rs. 97 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the parents were arrested. On Sunday, based on an information one Saidalavi Kunnathodi, 51 of Malappuram (Kerala), who arrived from Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways Flight EY238 was intercepted at the exit. His checked-in baggage was taken up for examination. A water motor pump was found inside his baggage. On dismantling the pump a cylindrical gold bar weighing 1.64 Kg valued at Rs 64 lakhs was found concealed inside the rotor portion of the motor. The gold was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the passenger was arrested.

5.1 kg gold worth 2 crore hidden in socks, innerwear, motor pump seized in Chennai airport; 5 arrested

Gold worth over Rs 110 crore was seized from smugglers by customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport during the last year, according to an official statement issued Wednesday.

A total of 340 cases of gold smuggling, an increase of 58 per cent as compared to the cases filed in 2017, were registered by the customs in 2018, it said.

In these, 402.48 kilograms of gold, valuing Rs 113.83 crore, were seized and 262 persons were arrested, the statement issued by the customs said.

There were 57 cases of smuggling of foreign currencies during the year, in which forex worth Rs 22.27 crore were seized. A total of 38 persons were arrested in these cases, it said.

In 2017, there were 215 cases of gold smuggling at the Delhi airport. The customs officials seized 242.5 kilograms of the yellow metal in these cases and arrested 143 people.

In 35 cases of forex smuggling during 2017, a total of 18 persons were arrested and foreign currencies worth Rs 10.75 crore were seized.

"A comparative analysis reveals that there was a 58 per cent increase in the number of gold smuggling cases booked which resulted in a 65.90 per cent increase in the quantity of smuggled gold seized," the Delhi customs said.

Similarly, a 62.85 per cent increase in the number of foreign currency cases booked resulted in a 107.05 per cent increase in the value of foreign currency seized, it said.

"The increase in gold smuggling cases show that people still consider it as a safe investment option. There is a strong need to deter people's love for gold," a senior customs official said.

There was also seizure of narcotics at the Delhi airport in the last year.

"Whereas there were no cocaine seizures during 2017, three foreign nationals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, during 2018.

These cases involved the seizure of 2.35 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately Rs 13.50 crore in the international narcotics market," the customs department said.

A total of 340 cases of gold smuggling, an increase of 58 per cent as compared to the cases filed in 2017, were registered by the customs in 2018, an official statement said.

Gold worth over Rs 110 crore was seized from smugglers by customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport during the last year, according to an official statement issued Wednesday. A total of 340 cases of gold smuggling, an increase of 58 per cent as compared to the cases filed in 2017, were registered by the customs in 2018, it said. In these, 402.48 kilograms of gold, valuing Rs 113.83 crore, were seized and 262 persons were arrested, the statement issued by the customs said. There were 57 cases of smuggling of foreign currencies during the year, in which forex worth Rs 22.27 crore were seized. A total of 38 persons were arrested in these cases, it said. In 2017, there were 215 cases of gold smuggling at the Delhi airport. The customs officials seized 242.5 kilograms of the yellow metal in these cases and arrested 143 people. In 35 cases of forex smuggling during 2017, a total of 18 persons were arrested and foreign currencies worth Rs 10.75 crore were seized. "A comparative analysis reveals that there was a 58 per cent increase in the number of gold smuggling cases booked which resulted in a 65.90 per cent increase in the quantity of smuggled gold seized," the Delhi customs said. Similarly, a 62.85 per cent increase in the number of foreign currency cases booked resulted in a 107.05 per cent increase in the value of foreign currency seized, it said. "The increase in gold smuggling cases show that people still consider it as a safe investment option. There is a strong need to deter people's love for gold," a senior customs official said. There was also seizure of narcotics at the Delhi airport in the last year. "Whereas there were no cocaine seizures during 2017, three foreign nationals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, during 2018. These cases involved the seizure of 2.35 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately Rs 13.50 crore in the international narcotics market," the customs department said.

Gold worth over Rs 110 crore seized at Delhi airport in 2018

Thailand`s junta leader swatted away critics, vowing to stay in power despite &quot;people&#39;s hatred&quot; for him, &nbsp;as tensions simmered before a referendum which the military says will pave the way for elections.&nbsp; 
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha seized power two years ago from the elected government when he was army chief, promising to heal a bitter decade-long political divide.&nbsp; 
But his regime has curbed free speech, outlawed political activities and penned a new charter designed to entrench the military`s role in government.&nbsp; 
&quot;I won`t go anywhere as long as the country is not at peace and in order. I won`t leave, despite how much you hate me,&quot; Prayut, who is renowned for his often irate outbursts, said in remarks to a forum in Bangkok.&nbsp; 
While he was speaking Wednesday morning a Thai folk singer was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for royal defamation -- one of several harsh laws the junta has used to curb critics, especially on the Internet.&nbsp; 
The singer, known by his stage name Tom Dundee, was convicted for comments he made in a 2013 speech at a political rally organised by supporters of the now-ousted government. 
Prayut also defended the sweeping powers granted to him as junta chief, saying &quot;there are still some politicians expressing their opinions&quot;.&nbsp; 
On the surface the political climate has calmed significantly under the junta, following years of competing street protests that often turned deadly.&nbsp; 
But disquiet is returning before an August referendum on the charter, despite a new law which punishes campaigning in the run-up to the vote with up to 10 years in prison.&nbsp; 
The junta has promised elections will go ahead in 2017 but has not clarified what will happen if the charter is rejected in the referendum, raising fears the timetable will slip once again.&nbsp; 
Prayut`s speech comes after the junta appeared to be loosening its grip by ending travel restrictions on many former politicians and promising to move its &quot;attitude adjustment&quot; sessions -- a common punishment for critics -- from military camps to government buildings and police stations.&nbsp; 
Critics say the regime is bent on dismantling the powerful political network of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose parties have long dominated the polls but are reviled by Bangkok`s military-allied elite.&nbsp; 
Analysts say the political troubles are exacerbated by the failing health of the 88-year-old monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej as competing elites jostle for power before the succession.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha had seized power two years ago from the elected government when he was the army chief, promising to heal a bitter decade-long political divide

Thailand`s junta leader swatted away critics, vowing to stay in power despite "people's hatred" for him, as tensions simmered before a referendum which the military says will pave the way for elections. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha seized power two years ago from the elected government when he was army chief, promising to heal a bitter decade-long political divide. But his regime has curbed free speech, outlawed political activities and penned a new charter designed to entrench the military`s role in government. "I won`t go anywhere as long as the country is not at peace and in order. I won`t leave, despite how much you hate me," Prayut, who is renowned for his often irate outbursts, said in remarks to a forum in Bangkok. While he was speaking Wednesday morning a Thai folk singer was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for royal defamation -- one of several harsh laws the junta has used to curb critics, especially on the Internet. The singer, known by his stage name Tom Dundee, was convicted for comments he made in a 2013 speech at a political rally organised by supporters of the now-ousted government. Prayut also defended the sweeping powers granted to him as junta chief, saying "there are still some politicians expressing their opinions". On the surface the political climate has calmed significantly under the junta, following years of competing street protests that often turned deadly. But disquiet is returning before an August referendum on the charter, despite a new law which punishes campaigning in the run-up to the vote with up to 10 years in prison. The junta has promised elections will go ahead in 2017 but has not clarified what will happen if the charter is rejected in the referendum, raising fears the timetable will slip once again. Prayut`s speech comes after the junta appeared to be loosening its grip by ending travel restrictions on many former politicians and promising to move its "attitude adjustment" sessions -- a common punishment for critics -- from military camps to government buildings and police stations. Critics say the regime is bent on dismantling the powerful political network of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose parties have long dominated the polls but are reviled by Bangkok`s military-allied elite. Analysts say the political troubles are exacerbated by the failing health of the 88-year-old monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej as competing elites jostle for power before the succession.

Thailand's junta leader says he will stay in power despite 'people's hatred' for him

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