Four held at IGI airport for smuggling gold in India

New Delhi: Four people were arrested by the customs officials in three separate cases for allegedly trying to smuggle gold worth over Rs 99 lakh in the country. The gold has been seized and the person arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act.

According to customs, on October 18, two residents of Kashmir arrived at Terminal-3 of the IGI Airport from Dubai. They were intercepted by the customs officials after they had crossed the green channel. The personal and baggage search resulted in the recovery of five silver-coated gold kadas (bangles), weighing 1,275 grams worth Rs 44,15,580 lakh.

The gold bangles were worn by the residents and covered by the sleeves of their shirts. They have been arrested and gold seized under relevant provisions of the Customs Act. Further investigation revealed that both the persons also admitted having smuggled 2407 grams of gold in the past. Another incident was reported on October 15 when a person was arrested at Terminal 1D at IGI Airport for possessing two cut pieces of gold bars weighing 1000 grams worth over Rs 34 lakh.

The person, who landed at IGI from Chandigarh, had kept the gold bars in the pocket of his trousers which he was wearing.

According to customs, the gold was hidden in the toilet of the aircraft by a person who had come from Dubai to Chandigarh. The same aircraft was further bound to Delhi from Chandigarh and the person was instructed to collect the gold bars from the toilet.

In the third incident, a man was arrested at Terminal 1D, IGI Airport on Tuesday for allegedly possessing five gold bars of foreign origin weighing 582 grams worth over Rs 20 lakh.

The person, who landed at IGI from Chandigarh, had kept the gold bars in his baggage. The gold was handed over to him at the smoking area of Chandigarh airport by a person who had come from Dubai to Chandigarh. The same aircraft was further bound to Delhi from Chandigarh.