New Delhi:
Gold worth Rs one crore was seized from the possession of four persons, including three of one family, who were allegedly trying to smuggle it into the country via Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi.
Acting on intelligence, the customs officials intercepted three members of the family after their arrival from Dubai today.
Six gold bangles studded with artificial stones weighing 382 grams were seized from a lady passenger. A gold plate weighing 88 grams, concealed in a mini speaker, was recovered from her husband. Whereas, two gold bangles weighing 133 grams were recovered from their daughter, who is in her early 20s, said Vinayak Azaad, Additional Commissioner of customs at the airport.
He said all of them had come from Dubai in the same flight.
In another case, the customs officials have detained a passenger with 3.3 kg of gold. The accused had come from Chennai to New Delhi, Mr Azaad said.
He had boarded the plane from Chennai which had arrived from Dubai. On his arrival, he was detained and his personal search resulted in the recovery of 3.3 kg of gold, the official said.
The total gold weighing 3.9 kg is worth Rs 1.04 crore, as per the prevailing market rate. Customs officials are trying to ascertain as to how he got the gold in the domestic flight and looking for his other accomplice.