Monday morning AIU officers on surveillance noticed one passenger going inside toilet in arrival hall. After he did not come out for a considerable time the officers checked the toilet and found the passenger hiding in one of the toilets. On questioning he became nervous and informed that he had brought some gold with intention of smuggling but got panicky and hid it in the toilet. One packet wrapped with black adhesive tape was recovered from the toilet. On opening two gold bars, One kg bar with marking MTM A011103 and another half Kg bar without marking , gold totally weighing 1.5 kg valued at Rs. 71.85 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act.  The passenger was identified as one Ajmal Khan, 26 of Vellore who had arrived from Dubai by Emirates flight EK 544. He was arrested.

In another case, Sunday night one Rahuman Hameed, 25 of Ramanathapuram  was intercepted after he had cleared Immigration and was proceeding towards security hold area for boarding Fly Dubai flight FZ 8516. On personal search one bundle wrapped with black adhesive tape was recovered from rectum. On cut opening 5000 US Dollars in denomination of 100 were recovered. From his  hand bag 3300 USDs and 7500 Saudi Riyals in denomination of 500 were recovered.  Total 8300 USD  and 7500 Saudi Riyals totally worth Rs. 7.38 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 read with FEMA (Export and Import of currency) Regulations . He was arrested as he had a previous offence registered against him.

Total 1.5 kg Gold worth Rs. 71.85 lakhs, US Dollars  and Saudi Riyals worth Rs.7.38 lakhs, totally worth Rs 79.23 lakhs  were recovered and seized under Customs Act r/w FEMA  in two cases. Two arrested.

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

(Release ID: 1700021) Visitor Counter : 59