Gold worth over Rs one crore recovered from air passenger

Over two kilogrammes of gold bars and around one kg rhodium-polished gold chains, collectively worth over Rs one crore were today recovered from a passenger, who landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here from Dubai, Customs officials said.

The Air Intelligence Unit of Hyderabad Customs intercepted a middle-aged air passenger, who arrived at the airport around 7.30 AM while he was walking through the green channel. On questioning, the passenger, whose identity was not revealed, claimed that he was not carrying any dutiable goods.

"However, based on the profile of the passenger and his travel pattern, the officers subjected the passenger to physical frisking, during which three packets concealed in an ingenious manner in his under-garments, were noticed," Customs officials said.

"After opening the packets, two one kg gold bars, three bars weighing 117 grams each and about 970 grams of rhodium-polished gold chains were recovered with a total market value of approximately Rs 1.1 crore," they said.

The passenger is currently under detention for further enquiries, a senior officer said.