Two persons were arrested at Chennai Airport for trying to smuggle out gemstones and gold, on Wednesday.
In the first case, based on a tip-off, Customs officials apprehended Chennai-native Shabdeen, 66, who had arrived from Colombo by UL 125 Srilankan Airlines flight. Upon searching, two bundles with gemstones wrapped with adhesive tape were found concealed in his rectum.
The bundles contained sapphires, rubies and Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye of various cut, size and colours, valued at Rs 31.4 lakh, and were seized under Customs Act. Shabdeen was arrested but the person to whom he was supposed to hand over the bundles outside the airport could not be traced.
In another case, Arthi Manoharan, 22, of Trichy, who was bound for Colombo by UL 126 Srilankan Airlines flight, was apprehended near the arrival bay area after having cleared immigration and security check.
Upon searching her hand bag, a bundle wrapped with black adhesive tape was found, which had four gold bars, weighing 1.496kg and valued at Rs 67.5 lakh were found concealed inside. On questioning, she revealed that she had collected it from the ladies toilet and she was to hand it over to an unknown person in bay area who would take it out of airport. No one came to receive the packet from her, though. The gold bars were seized under the Customs Act and she was arrested.
And in another case, Seik Abdullah, 54, who arrived from Singapore by Air India Express Airlines Flight AI-687 was intercepted at the exit. Upon searching, three bundles of gold in paste form were recovered from his rectum. On extraction, 358gm of gold valued Rs. 16.5 lakh was recovered and seized under Customs Act.
Further investigation is under progress.