The Chennai Air Customs Department in Tamil Nadu seized 4.15 kg of gold at the airport from passengers arriving from the United Arab Emirates. The price of this gold is 2.17 crores. The department has arrested seven people for busting the smuggling racket. These people had swallowed the capsules by wrapping gold in polythene and rubber covers.
The Chennai Customs Department said on Sunday that it was revealed after the passengers at the exit gate were stopped by officials of the Air Intelligence Unit when in doubt. These people returned from Dubai and Sharjah on 22 January.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to hiding capsules of gold paste in the stomach and rectum. He said that he had swallowed capsules of gold paste before leaving Dubai and Sharjah. After this, all of them were admitted to the Stanley Government Hospital where capsules were taken out under the supervision of specialist doctors.
The department says that the whole process took eight days. 4.15 kg of gold was recovered from eight passengers, valued at Rs 2.17 crore. Seven of them have been arrested.
The statement said 161 capsules weighing 2.88 kg were recovered from the stomachs of the eight passengers. It costs Rs 1.28 crore. Eight bundles of 61 capsules were seized. Their weight is 1.8 kg and the price is 51.36 lakh rupees.
Also, three gold chains, 8 gold pieces, 8 gold rings, and two bundles of gold paste were found from the handbags and paint pockets of these passengers. Their value is Rs 30.64 lakhs.