Chennai: The customs officers at Chennai international airport detected several cases of smuggling of gold and seized gold valued at Rs 90 lakh.
According to sources, Ajmal khan Mahamad Farookh (32) of Madurai, arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia Flight on Saturday morning. The officials intercepted him on suspicion. On his personal search, 5 semi-finished crude gold chains totally weighing 504 grams valued at Rs 9.64 lakhs were recovered and the same seized under provisions of Customs Act 1962.
In a similar incident on Friday, Syed Abul Hasan ( 24) and Niyaz Khan ( 24) of Ramanathapuram, arrived from Dubai by Fly Dubai Flight were intercepted at the exit. During their personal search, gold in rubbery form kept concealed in their rectum was recovered. 863 grams gold of valued at Rs 33.66 lakhs was recovered and the same was seized under provisions of Customs Act 1962.
On Thursday, Multhasim Junaidu(36) of Kilakarai and Mohamed Najeeh (28) of Ramanathapuram who arrived from Dubai by Air India flight were searched and 100 grams gold cut bits(50 grams from each) was found concealed in their pant pockets. Also, the rubbery spread was found concealed in the rectum and on extraction 296 and 147 grams were extracted respectively.
Further, on examination of their checked-in luggage 24 old/used laptops valued at Rs 1.2 lakh and 6,720 sticks of Gudang Garam Cigarettes (28 Cartons) totally valued at Rs 67,200 were also recovered and the same seized.
In another case on Thursday Fathima Nusrath(43) a Sri Lankan national, was intercepted at the exit of the arrival hall. On her personal search and persistent questioning, she admitted having concealed gold in the rectum in rubbery spread form.
After extraction 372 grams gold valued at Rs 14.5 lakhs was recovered and seized under the Customs Act. Total goods worth Rs 91 lakhs ( 2.3 Kg gold worth Rs 89.3 lakhs and laptops and cigarettes worth Rs 1.8 lakhs) seized under Customs Act 1962. Further probe is on.
