Chennai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized 23.34 kgs of gold worth Rs 14.43 crore that was being smuggled into the country in two separate incidents and arrested two passengers at the Anna international airport here this week.
The seizures were made on May 8 and May 11, a DRI release here today said. On May 8, the DRI, Chennai officiaIs, receivied a specific intelligence that a passenger had arrived from Dubai via Colombo with huge quantity of foreign origin gold, exited the airport and was on his way to his residence.
A team of DRI officials, in a swift operation, intercepted him when he got down from an auto near his residence.
On examination, DRI officials recovered gold in paste form, concealed in various knee-cap pouches worn by the passenger, as well as in specially-made pouches in his trousers.
A total of 13.28 kg of gold, valued at Rs 8.28 crore was recovered and seized, the DRI said.
In the seizure on on May 11, the DRI officials intercepted a Sri Lankan national who arrived from Colombo and on examination of his hand baggage four gold in paste form inside eight chocolate packets.
Melting of the paste resulted in the recovery of gold weighing 10.06 kg valued at Rs 6.15 crore.
In all 23.34 kg gold worth Rs 14.43 crore was seized and both the passengers have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
