CHENNAI: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Chennai customs on Saturday recovered about 1 kg of gold worth Rs 43.4 lakh from a customer agent working at Air India Airport Services Limited (AIASL) on Saturday.

Customs officials had revived a tip off about gold being smuggled by a passenger and increased vigil.

Officials observed the agent loitering suspiciously near the Duty free shop in the arrival area of International Airport and questioned him.

Since he gave contradictory answers, he was detained and searched, after which customs officers found a bag containing four small parcels.

On checking the parcel, officials found gold in a paste form- weighing 988 grams.

When questioned about the gold, the agent spilled the beans that he was handed over the parcel by a passenger, a Sri Lankan national who had come in a flight from Dubai, to escape customs scrutiny. Customs have booked the agent staff and have arrested him.

The gold was recovered from him. Further investigations are on.

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