MADURAI
The Air Intelligence Unit of Customs Department seized 387 grams of gold powder mixed with artificial clay from a passenger at Madurai airport on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, the customs officials frisked the passenger, identified as Ahmed Jalal of Chennai, but could not find anything unusual other than the artificial clay, used as a plaything by children.
“Initially the officials could not find even a gram of gold in his possession. However, when we tested the artificial clay, we found traces of gold mixed in it,” said Assistant Commissioner of Customs Venkatesh Babu.
Upon burning the plastic material, weighing 722 grams, the officials found 387 grams of 24-carat gold. The gold in powder form had been mixed with the clay. The contraband is valued at ₹11.84 lakh.
Preliminary investigations suggested that Jalal, who had gone to Dubai through Mumbai, had arrived here from Dubai by a SpiceJet aircraft. Further investigations are on.
Only a fortnight ago, the Customs authorities had seized nearly 1,500 grams of gold from two air passengers, who arrived here in two different flights on the same day. While one passenger was having 700 grams of gold in his possession, the other had hidden 800 grams of gold.
