Gold, saffron worth nearly Rs 1 cr seized at Chennai airport

Officials intercepted one Thameem Ansari (36) from Thoothukudi who reached here from Durai and checked his bag. After a toy that appeared unusually heavy raised suspicion, they opened its back cover to find a small transformer.

When it was cur open, officials found 49 small gold plates weighing 349 g and valued t Rs 18 lakh. Three others who came on the same flight were found carrying gold in paste and cut bits form, totally weighing 701 g worth Rs 36.74 lakh. Shahul Hameed (38) and Kalandar Bahurudeen (29) from Ramanathapuram were arrested in this connection. 

In another case, Bathurudeen (48) from Ramanathapuram who came from Dubai was caught with 265 g gold worth Rs 13.6 lakhs. Based on a tip off, officials rummaged a flight from Dubai and found 10 strips of gold paste under a seat cushion. In all, 356 g gold valued at Rs 18.65 lakh was seized as unclaimed. 

Sarfudeen Abdul Majeed (40) and Mohamed Rahumathullah (30) from Ramanathapuram who came by the same flight were found carrying 4 kg grade-1 saffron worth Rs 9.8 lakh, added a press release from the Customs.