JOIN USGold worth at least Rs 70 lakh was seized by customs officials in three separate incidents at Indira Gandhi International Airport here and two persons, including one form Karnataka, were arrested in this connection.
Customs officials said they found gold bars weighing 448 gm outside a washroom at the airport, which may have been dumped following tightening of vigil. CCTV footage was being examined to find the culprits.
In the first case, UP resident Abdul Sattar was arrested for allegedly smuggling gold worth about Rs 19.64 lakh into the country, Commissioner (Customs) at the airport Neeta Lall Butalia said in a statement.
In another incident, 47-year-old Abdul Rahim Badshah Patel, a resident of Karnataka, was arrested for trying to smuggle 1.9 kg of gold jewellery worth Rs 38 lakh into the country.
Patel, hailing from Bhatkal, was intercepted by the officials after he arrived from Dubai on Sunday, Butalia said.
On detailed examination of his baggage and frisking, the gold jewellery was found concealed inside knee caps tied to his legs. The gold was seized and Patel was arrested, she said.