1,588 gms gold worth Rs. 66.34 lakh seized at airport, one arrested

Chennai, Sep 27 (Agency) Officials of the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) today seized 1,588 gms of gold, valued at Rs 66.34 lakh in two separate incidents and arrested a person who arrived from Kuwait at the Anna International airport. A release from the Office of the Commissioner of Customs said based on intelligence, a passenger who arrived from Dubai was intercepted by the Customs officers at the exit gate. On scanning and examination of his checked-in baggage, an iron hammer, in which gold was suspected to have been concealed, was found.

The officials broke open the hammer and recovered gold moulded inside it. A total of 341 grams of 24k purity gold valued at Rs.14.25 lakh was recovered and seized under the Customs Act,1962. In another incident, 1,247 grams of gold concealed in mirror frame was recovered from a passenger who arrived from Kuwait. The Gold was concealed inside the mirror frame which could be retrieved only after cutting open the frame. A total of 1,247 grams of 24k purity gold valued at Rs.52.09 lakhs was seized under the Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested. Further investigation is in progress.