2.6 kg gold worth Rs 1 cr, USD 10,000 seized at airport, one arrested

A release from the Office of the Commissionerate of Customs said four passengers -- Mohamed Azarudeen (24) and Imthiyas (21) from Ramanathapuram, Azarutheen (24) and Abdul Kalam Asath (23) from Pudukkottai, who had arrived from Colombo by Srilankan Airlines flight and three more passengers -- Mohammed Imran Khan (30) of Chennai, Mohamed Mansur Ali (30) and Khan Mohamed (41) both from Ramanathapuram -- who arrived from Singapore by Air India Express flight from Dubai and by Indigo Airlines flight and Gulf Air respectively, were intercepted on suspicion of carrying gold.

On persistent questioning, they admitted to have concealed gold in the form of rubbery material in their rectum. On extraction two kg gold of 24K purity, valued at Rs 80 lakh was recovered and seized under the Customs Act 1962. One person was arrested.

In another two cases, Mohamed Refaydeen (22) of Pudukottai and Mohamed Ibrahim (70) of Cuddalore, who arrived by an Emirates Airlines and Indigo flights from Dubai and Colombo respectively, were intercepted at the exit.

On personal search, 65 grams of gold cut bits concealed in pant pockets and five bundles of gold in rubbery spread concealed in their rectum were recovered. After extraction, 678 gms of gold worth Rs 27 lakh was recovered and seized under the Customs Act.

On further examination, five refurbished laptops and 5,600 sticks of cigarettes valued at Rs 81,000 were seized under the provisions of Customs Act.

In the other incident, Abdeen (67) of Ramanathapuram, who was bound to Singapore via Colombo by Sri Lankan Airlines flight was intercepted at the departure terminal.

On personal search, 10,000 US Dollars equivalent to Rs 7 lakh was found concealed inside his leather chappals. The same was seized under the Customs Act read with FEMA (Export and Import of currency) (Amendment) Regulations, 2015. Further investigation is under progress.