7 kg gold worth Rs 2.27 crore seized at airport, 2 arrested

The seizure was the result of increased surveillance during the festival season to prevent the illegal movement of gold into the country by an organised smuggling gang. The Customs officers seized a total of 1.475 grams of gold worth Rs 48.6 lakh from three passengers arrived from overseas, making the total seizure of gold worth Rs 2.75 crore.

According to DRI sleuths, the Chennai zonal team intercepted two passengers, who arrived from Kolkata in two domestic flights based on specific input. While examining their checked-in baggage, the sleuths found that two were carrying gold of foreign origin, concealed inside electrical appliances. Gold, weighing 6.995 kg valued Rs.2.27 crore, was found hidden in home appliances like microwave oven and electric hotplate. The gold items were seized under the Customs Act.

The DRI further noted that the two passengers disclosed that they were instructed by their handler in Chennai to travel to Bagdogra in West Bengal, near Nepal border, and receive the gold pieces concealed inside the electrical appliances and bring them to Chennai by air.

According to DRI, the seized gold was smuggled from Malaysia to Nepal and then to India through land. The arrested passengers were remanded in custody.

In another seizure, Customs secured 1.475 kg of gold, including yellow metal pieces wrapped in chocolate wrapper, from three different passengers, who arrived from foreign countries. While one passenger was carrying 1 kg gold pieces, valued Rs 33 lakh, hidden in miniature Petronas tower gift piece, another passenger was found carrying 125 gram of gold in 22 pieces, including three pieces in chocolate wrapper.

Another passenger traveling to Colombo on Saturday was found smuggling foreign currencies worth Rs 15.9 lakh hidden in his rectum.