Chennai: A staffer of a ground handling service at the Chennai airport was arrested by customs officials on Thursday when he was caught with 3 kg smuggled gold worth Rs 89 lakh. The arrested was identified as A.D. Karikalan, 44, a handyman in Bhadra International Airport Ground Handling Services in Chennai airport.
“Based on inputs from CISF intelligence wing while on surveillance at tarmac area, the customs officials intercepted Karikalan after he was found behaving in suspicious manner. Karikalan, who usually works as wheelchair assistant/ loader, was questioned by the customs officials. When searched his bag, the officials found 3 gold bars totally weighing 3 kg in it.
On further investigation, he confessed that the bag was given by an unknown passenger who arrived by Oman Airways flight and he was supposed to hand over the gold to the said passenger outside in the parking area.
Though customs officials took him outside to the parking area to discreetly identify the said passenger, one approached him. He was then taken back to customs office and later arrested for involving in abetting smuggling.
