Gold worth Rs 69.4 lakh seized by custom officials from passenger at KIA

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Customs officials at the city airport on Wednesday said that they have arrested a man who was attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs 69.40 lakh by concealing it in the false cavity of his slippers. A senior Customs official said that on March 12, the accused, who arrived from Bangkok at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru by Indigo flight, was intercepted by the Customs Air Intelligence Officers.

“On asking the purpose of travel, the passenger said that he was travelling for medical purposes. However, the passenger was unable to provide any valid medical documents, which made the officers suspicious,” said the official. The suspect passenger, according to the customs official, underwent extensive inspections.

When his body was checked and his suitcase and slippers were scanned, it was discovered that he had gold chopped into chunks hidden in his slippers, which he had been wearing during the journey. “The slippers were cut open and four pieces of gold totalling 1.2 kg, having purity of 24 kt and worth Rs 69.40 lakh were seized,” the official said. Further investigation is on.