Malappuram, Nov 11 (Agency) The Air Customs Intelligence at the Calicut International Airport in Karipur near here on Thursday seized nearly five kilograms of gold from three passengers who reached the airport from different Middle East destinations. Sources said the authorities have confiscated 2.28 kgs of gold from Kozhikode-native Haneefa, 2.02 kgs of gold from Raveendran and 400 gms of gold from Abdul Jaeel, both natives of Malappuram.
The smuggled gold put together is estimated to be worth about two crore rupees in the gold market. There have been several instances of gold smuggling through the airport since the air route was resumed earlier this year. A road accident in Ramanattukara near here a few months had exposed the active functioning of gold smuggling rackets as well as robbery gangs operating around the airport area.