Two held for gold smuggling at airport

The arrested persons were identified as Rahman Khan (29) of Chennai and the airport private agency worker K Murali (32). Based on a tip-off that gold is being smuggled in an Emirates flight with help of the insiders, the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers kept a close eye on the airport staff and other services providers.

The officers noticed Murali, attached to a private agency, entering the men’s restroom in a suspicious manner.

They surrounded him when he came out from and during inquiry, they found that Murali had hidden gold bars received from Rahman Khan and planned to give it to him at the exit.

After examining him, the officers found him carrying 40 grams of gold along with Gudang Garam cigarettes worth Rs 36,000. They also seized nine gold bars each weighing 100 grams and a gold piece weighing 73 grams in the restroom. The officials seized the gold worth Rs 32 lakh and arrested both.