CHENNAI: The Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.8 kg of gold worth `52.6 lakh and arrested an escalator monitoring person of the Chennai International Airport and an Air Asia passenger.
It is learnt from Customs officials that D Manikandan, an employee of BVG India, one of the largest integrated service companies which have taken a contract for the work of housekeeping and maintenance of lifts and escalators of the Chennai International Airport, tried to smuggle the gold inside the airport after taking it from an Air Asia passenger Bahurudeen Shak Kadar Patcha Officials said that Patcha, who disembarked from the aircraft at the aerobridge, was walking in a suspicious manner and as he was trailed by the AIU officials, a packet was transferred to a person walking behind him.
The man tried to escape taking a detour and was caught in the corridor before the immigration area by Customs Intelligence officials. He had an airport entry pass and after further scrutiny, it was found that he was an employee of the housekeeping firm. A total of 1.8 kg gold was recovered from the left pocket of his trouser wrapped in black adhesive tape. “He possessed 1 kg of gold bar and three gold cut bits weighing 800 grams.”
During the investigation, it was revealed that Manikandan was supposed to deliver the gold to a passenger in car parking area outside airport through an exit other than customs’. The passenger has also been arrested.