New Delhi:
A man has been arrested at IGI airport for allegedly trying to smuggle gold jewellery worth about Rs 25 lakh into the country. The accused, who had arrived from Dubai yesterday, was intercepted by the customs officials and his baggages were checked.
"On detailed examination of his bags and his personal search about 1.3 kgs of gold jewellery was found concealed in his socks," a press release issued today by the customs said.
The jewellery is valued at Rs 25.42 lakh, it said. The man, whose identity has been withheld by customs officials, hails from Bhatkal in Karnataka, sources said.
The jewellery has been seized and the accused arrested, they said.
A Tamil Nadu resident was arrested last week for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold bars valued at about Rs 40 lakh by hiding it in his lower abdomen at the international airport.
The customs officials had on June 20 also arrested a Sri Lankan national for allegedly trying to smuggle gold bars worth about Rs 57 lakh.
Four persons were arrested in two separate incidents of smuggling on June 19 at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here. They had tried to smuggle gold worth over Rs 78 lakh.
In wake of the recent arrests and spurt in efforts to smuggle gold, vigil has been increased at the airport to keep a check on any illegal activities, it said.