CHENNAI: Customs sleuths at the Chennai airport seized more than two kilograms of gold worth Rs 94 lakh on Friday and Thursday.
According to airport sources, on Friday, six passengers Mohammed Ali (32) of Madurai and Abdul Hakkim (32) of Sivaganga, arrived from Malaysia by an Air Asia flight , Syed Mohamed (34) and Syed Farook (43) both of Ramanathapuram, arrived from Dubai via Colombo by Sri Lankan Airlines flight, Syed Abthageer (44) of Tiruchirapalli, arrived from Dubai by Emirates flight and Ansari (34) of Chennai arrived in an Air India flight. All were intercepted on suspicion of carrying gold.
On questioning, they appeared to be nervous and gave evasive replies. On a search on their person, gold cubes weighing 298 grams valued at Rs 12 lakh were recovered from their pant pockets. Sixteen bundles of rubbery paste of gold were recovered from the rectum.
After extraction, 1.57 kg gold valued at Rs 63 lakh was recovered. A total of 1.87 kg gold valued at Rs 75.66 lakh was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962.
Thameem Ansari (40) bound for Singapore on Thursday, was intercepted at the security hold area of the departure hall on suspicion of carrying foreign currency. The search of his hand baggage resulted in the recovery of US$ 10,000 valued at Rs 7 lakh.
In another case on Thursday, Mohammed Ashik Ali (28) of Chennai who arrived from Singapore was intercepted at the exit.
On a search, three bundles of rubbery paste of gold were recovered and on extraction 468 grams of gold valued at Rs 18.55 lakh was recovered. Investigations are on.
