CHENNAI:
Customs officials at
Chennai airport seized 1.4kg of
gold, worth Rs 44 lakh, in four separate smuggling cases on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the principal commissioner of customs, Yusuff Chatholi of Palakkad, 45, who arrived here from Dubai in an Emirates flight, was intercepted at the exit of the arrival hall. During search, a yellow coloured rubbery spread wrapped in plastic covers around his waist was found. Suspecting that the rubbery spread contained gold, a gold appraiser was called to extract and examine the same.
After applying heat to the rubbery spread, the gold appraiser extracted 693 grams gold valued at Rs 21 lakh. Yusuff was arrested.
In another case, Sri Lankan nationals Mohamed Ishak and Mohammed Rizan were intercepted on suspicion of carrying gold. During examination of their baggage, six motorcycle handle levers were found. On dismantling the levers, six cylindrical gold rods weighing 598 grams, worth Rs 18 lakh, were recovered.
Thayaparan Shanmuganathan from
Colombo was also held on suspicion of carrying gold. During examination of his checked in baggage, two gold rods concealed inside the handle of the stroller suitcase were recovered. The rods weighed 159.5 grams and were valued at Rs 5 lakh.
