Canadian cricketer among four arrested for gold smuggling

New Delhi: In a major catch, a Canadian cricketer is among four people arrested by Customs Department sleuths at the Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle gold worth Rs 1.7 crore into the country.

The official said that all the four accused, two men and as many women, are relatives and had arrived from Bangkok. The investigation further revealed that the accused had confessed of smuggling gold in past too.

According to the press statement, three Indian nationals and one Canadian passport holder arrived at T-3 IGI airport on June 7. The accused were intercepted by the customs officers at IGI airport after they had crossed the green channel.

A detailed personal and baggage search of the passengers resulted in the recovery of five gold pieces, collectively weighing 5.2 kg and having a market value of Rs 1.7 crore, an official said. The recovered gold items have been seized under relevant sections of the Customs Act.

They went to Bangkok on Wednesday and returned on Saturday on a combined ticket booked by one of the passengers, identified as Rakesh Luthra, the Customs Department said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The two male passengers, including the cricketer, have reportedly confessed of smuggling 5.46 kg gold worth Rs 1.72 crore in past, it said.

The accused cricketer is a Canadian national. He has represented Canada in the ICC under-19 World Cup held in Bangladesh, the officials said.

All the four accused were refused bail on production before a magistrate here and sent to judicial custody, they added. "Further investigation is under progress to get the detailed clue," added official.

Earlier two men have been arrested by customs officials at Delhi airport for allegedly smuggling gold and forex worth lakhs by concealing them in the rectum in two

separate cases. With agencies inputs