CHENNAI: DRI sleuths nabbed two men who smuggled gold into Tamil Nadu at the Chennai airport on Sunday. Based on a specific tip-off, sleuths of the Chennai Zonal Unit intercepted two passengers who arrived at the airport on different flights.
They then set out to check their checked-in baggage during which gold of foreign origin totally weighing 7 kg valued at Rs 2.28 crore kept concealed inside
electrical appliances like a microwave oven and an electric hotplate.
These were seized by the customs officials. On interrogation, the two passengers revealed that they were instructed by their Chennai-based handler to travel to Bagdogra (near Nepal border) and receive the gold pieces concealed inside electrical appliances and bring them to Chennai by air.
Investigations revealed that the seized gold has been smuggled from Malaysia to Nepal and then into India. The duo was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
