A timely tip-off helped Customs seize 3.4kg gold worth Rs 1.39 crore at the Anna International Airport, Chennai, on Tuesday.
There was information that gold is likely to be smuggled by some passengers arriving from Colombo, and so, strict vigil was kept by air intelligence officers at the Customs arrival hall.
Six Sri Lankan nationals—Mohamed Rishan, 47, Althaf, 51, Mohamed Rimaz, 33, Mohammed Rafeek, 39, Mohamed Lahir, 36, and a woman Smzul Wadeka Moulana, 45—who arrived from Colombo by SriLankan Airlines flight UL121 were intercepted at the exit.
On interrogation, they admitted to have concealed gold in the form of paste in their rectums. Fifteen bundles of 24-carat gold paste were recovered from them. It was seized under Customs Act, 1962. Three passengers were arrested, and further investigation is underway.
