Gold worth Rs 33 lakh seized at Kochi airport

Customs officials seized gold worth Rs 33 lakh at Kochi airport on Tuesday from a passenger who arrived on a Dubai flight.

Acting on a tip-off, officers of Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs Department intercepted the passenger and found foreign origin gold in the form of four capsules concealed in his rectum.

The seized gold was 902 grams valued at Rs 33.57 lakh, said officials.

The passenger’s name was Ansar who is a native of Malappuram district.

Further investigations are underway.

Smugglers have adopted novel ways to conceal the contraband gold, but specific intelligence received by the Customs Department has helped to nab them.

Earlier this month Customs officials at Mumbai airport had made a seizure of Rs 5.2 crore worth gold hidden in a specially designed belt with several pockets that was wrapped around the smuggler’s chest and shoulder. The consignment was also from Dubai where gold can be bought freely. Since the prices of gold are much higher in India the smugglers are tempted to make a fast buck.