Gold worth Rs 8 cr seized from two Korean women at airport

The officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs increased the vigil at the airport after a specific intelligence input which said that gold was likely to be smuggled by some Korean passengers arriving via Cathay Pacific flight, Commissioner of Customs said.

Following this, the AIU officers noticed that two women passengers walking in a suspicious manner as if they were carrying a heavy load. While they tried to walk through the green channel, the officers intercepted them and questioned whether they were carrying any gold or anything to declare.

The duo, identified in their passports as Hanbyoul Jung (26) and Eunyoung Kim (26), hailing from Republic of Korea arrived from Hong Kong Via Cathay Pacific flight. As both the passengers were evasive in their replies, they were taken for a personal search along with their baggage. 

During their personal search, the lady officer noticed that both the passengers were wearing mini shorts underneath their skirts and pajamas. A total of 12 gold bars weighing one kg each, which were concealed inside the front and back pockets of their mini shorts, were seized from each passenger.

In total, 24 gold bars weighing one kg each of 24 karat purity and valued at Rs eight crores were seized from them under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

The Customs officers are trying to identify the person, who was supposed to receive the gold from them in Chennai. Two Korean nationals were arrested two months ago at a hotel in Mylapore with smuggled gold. The officials are enquiring whether the women from the same gang. Both the passengers were detained for further investigation.