On Wednesday morning based on information that gold is likely to be smuggled by way of  concealment in  Indigo airline flight 6E 66 arriving from Dubai, the aircraft was rummaged by AIU team on arrival. During rummaging two packets wrapped in black adhesive tape were recovered from inside of   life jacket  kept beneath one of the seats. On opening the packets,   gold in paste form was found concealed inside. On extraction 1.22 Kg gold valued at Rs. 48 lakhs was recovered  and same was seized as unclaimed.

In another case today   morning one Nihal Ahamed,27, of Ramanathapuram who had arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airline flight EK  542 was intercepted at exit. On personal search was found to have concealed gold in rectum and his wallet. Total 211 grams valued at Rs. 7.1 lakhs  was recovered and seized.

On Tuesday night based on specific information one Anushka, 31, and Nishanthani, 29 , both Srilankan nationals  who had arrived from Colombo by Air India flight AI 274 were intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold. On persistent questioning both admitted to have concealed gold in rectum in paste form. On personal search,  three bundles of gold paste were recovered and  805 grams of gold  valued at Rs. 27.16 lakhs was extracted from the paste and  same was seized.

In another case Tuesday night AIU  officer on routine surveillance noticed one small ladies purse lying unattended in the indoor  planter pot situated at the arrival hall. On examination  three gold cut bars weighing 177 grams valued at Rs. 6 lakhs  were recovered  and same seized.

In total 2.4 Kg gold   worth Rs. 88 lakhs was recovered and seized under the provisions of Customs Act 1962.  

          Further investigation is in progress, according to a press release issued by Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport, Chennai.

 

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(Release ID: 1596875)