Delhi: AI personnel, Japanese held for Rs 2.3 crore gold smuggling

New Delhi: An Air India security officer and a Japanese national were among three persons arrested for allegedly smuggling into the country gold worth about Rs 2.3 crore at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi.

The Customs has seized around 8 kilogram of gold, in separate incidents of smuggling of yellow metal in the last 2 days.

A passenger holding Japanese passport was intercepted on Sunday after his arrival from Hong Kong.

"Detailed examination of his baggage and his personal search resulted in the recovery of four kgs gold having market value of Rs 1.15 crore, in the form of four gold bars of one kg each, concealed inside four cloth belts worn around his waist under his trouser," a press release issued today by the Customs said.

In another case, an Indian was intercepted after he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International airport from Dubai.

He was allegedly carrying 1.8 kgs of gold.

"As a result of his interrogation, involvement of one security staff of Air India also came to notice," the release said, adding that both the passenger and the security staff of the national carrier were arrested.

Over two kilograms of gold, which was being smuggled into the country by hiding it in various home appliances - and in one case in rectum - was also seized.

More than eight kilograms of gold has been seized in all these cases. The market value of the seized gold is about Rs 2.3 crore.