Based on intelligence one Magroob Akbarali,39 of Ramanathapuram & Zubair Hassan Rafiyutheen,26, of  Chennai who arrived from Dubai by Fly Dubai FZ8515were intercepted at exit. Their hairstyles looked suspicious. On examination they were found to be wearing wigs and having a partly tonsured heads.2gold paste packets weighing 698 grams were found concealed under their wigs which on extraction yielded 595 grams gold.

In another case one Balu Ganesan,42, of Trichy, who arrived by same flight was intercepted and on personal search 3 bundles of gold paste recovered from rectum which on extraction yielded  622 grams of gold. He was arrested.

Earlier on Saturday one Anbazhagan, 24 of Villupuram was intercepted at the exit.On personal search four  packets of gold paste weighing 1.5 kg  recovered which were concealed inside his  socks and stitched inside his underwear. On extraction 1.33 kg gold valued at Rs. 62 lakhs recovered and seized.One A. Thamin Ansari of Chennai, 26, the receiver of gold was also nabbed  from outside from outside the airport when he approached the passenger to take the gold. Both arrested.

In another case on rummaging Indigo Flight 6E 66  eight 10 Tola gold bars with foreign marking weighing 933 grams valued at Rs. 43.30 lakhs was found in a cloth bag which was concealed in the hollow pipe beneath one of  the aircraft seat.

Earlier on Friday Syed Ahamedulla, 22, of Ramnathapuram, Santhosh Selvam,33, of Salem & Abdullah, 35 , of Chennai  who arrived from Dubai and Sharjah by flights EK 542 and G9471 were intercepted at exit. Their hair styles looked to be suspicious and on examination they were found to be having partly tonsured heads and wearing wigs. 3 gold paste packets 2410grams were found  concealed under their  wigs were recovered. On extraction 2.08 kg gold valued at Rs. 96.57 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act. All three  arrested.

In another case four passengers bound for Sharjah by flights 6E8415 and G 9472, were intercepted in departure terminal after they had cleared Immigration and were proceeding towards security hold area. As their hair styles appeared to be suspicious on examination they were found to be wearing wigs. On search  67500 Saudi Riyals  concealed under their wigsand  4750 USD, 6500 Dirhams , 800000 Takas recovered from their pant pockets equivalent to Rs. 24.06 lakhs recovered and seized under Customs Act read with FEMA  regulations 2015.

Total 5.55 kg gold worth Rs. 2.53 crore and foreign currency worth Rs. 24 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs. Six arrested. Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by Commissioner of Customs. Chennai International Airport.

------

 

(Release ID: 1706464) Visitor Counter : 315