Chennai: To trick sleuths, gold smugglers hire greenhorns

CHENNAI: Interrogation by Customs officials of foreign carriers recently caught smuggling gold into the country through Chennai international airport has revealed that operators have tweaked their modus operandi in an attempt to give sleuths the slip.

On Friday, officials found that three middle-aged Malaysians caught smuggling had obtained their passports only a month ago.


While searching for possible carriers or gold smugglers, Customs officials look at the frequency of travel. Passports of most carriers show multiple entry and exit to countries like Thailand, UAE or Singapore every month, or in cases every fortnight. Another indicator would be their simple dress that would not be in sync with their multiple foreign travel. Sources said operators may be of the belief that first-time travellers may not arouse as much suspicion as regular carriers.

On Friday, sleuths intercepted A Kumar, Palamuthu and Santha — all poor Malaysians of Tamil origin. They came to the city on an Air Asia flight from Kuala Lumpur. Officials said the three looked ill at ease and sleuths recovered gold from them after a search.

Upon questioning, the three told officials that they were given the gold in Malaysia and instructed to hand it over to ‘someone’ outside the airport. That person did not turn up.

“The trio looked upset and said that they would never come to India again,” sources in Customs said.

Officials are on their toes as they feel that regular seizures have forced smugglers to opt for fresh recruits who would work for a pittance. In case of riskier consignments like a leopard cub or wildlife items like reptiles or animal scales, the fee for the carrier is higher, up to ₹25,000. If it is a foreigner, then a stay in a plush hotel is also given, say officials. Compared to other frequent carriers who are paid between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000 for the trip, fresh entrants are paid only ₹2,000 (males) and ₹5,000 (females).