Kochi: Customs officials at the Cochin International Airport seized 300 grams of gold from a priest who flew in by a Qatar airways flight from Doha on Monday morning. Three gold bars weighing hundred grams each were found concealed inside chocolate bars. The same was detected upon inspecting the baggage of Father Issac Kizhakkeparambil, a priest working in Switzerland who originally hails from Tiruvalla, a senior Customs officer said.
“He didn’t make any declaration about the gold and we found it hidden inside chocolate bars. It was a clear attempt to evade customs duty,” he said. However, no arrest was made since the quantity of the contraband seized is small. A case was, however, registered. The accused also gave a written statement saying he won’t be needing the gold back. The catholic priest was serving in Switzerland for the last several years.
