Chennai: Officials of the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) on Monday seized 1.85 kg gold worth Rs 97.7 lakh in five cases and arrested one person at the Anna International airport in Chennai.
A release from the office of the Commissioner of Customs said based on intelligence, four passengers, Mohamathu Tharig (36) Syed Mohamed Paris (26) from Ramnathapuram,and Sikkandar Masthan (36) and Rahuman Khan (31) from Chennai, who arrived from Dubai by Emirates flight were intercepted on suspicion of carrying gold bundles concealed in rectum.
On personal search, 12 bundles of gold paste weighing 1.93 kg were recovered from their rectum. On extraction 1.61 kg gold of 24K purity valued at Rs 84.94 lakh was recovered and seized under the Customs Act.
In another case, one Dhasthageer (34) of Ramanathapuram who arrived by Fly Dubai flight was intercepted and on personal search one bundle of gold paste was recovered from rectum and one packet of gold paste was found taped on his right ankle.
Totally 280 gram gold paste recovered which on extraction yielded 243 grams of 24K purity gold valued at Rs 12.8 lakh and the same was seized under Customs Act.
The passenger was arrested based on previous offence. In all, 1.85 kg gold valued at Rs 97.7 lakh was recovered and seized under the Customs Act. Further investigation is under progress.