Air Customs officials seized gold worth Rs. 25 lakhs (USD 33,998) from southern India's Chennai International Airport on December 23. The suspects were intercepted at the terminal of the airport.

Visuals show two bundles of gold wrapped with black adhesive tape, concealed within the hollow pipes of a trolley. Five gold biscuits are recovered from the tapped packets whereas other pieces are crammed inside a tiny blue plastic pack. Molten chunks of metal can also be seen with other illicit assets.

A 23-year-old, identified as Subam Kumar, came in from Dubai by FlyDubai FZ 8517 and was intercepted at the exit on suspicion of smuggling gold. One bundle of gold paste weighing 220 grams (0.485 lbs) was recovered from his rectum. On extraction, it yielded 196 grams (0.432 lbs) of 24K purity gold valued at Rs. 10 lakhs ($13,599).

In another case, one baggage trolley was observed abandoned in a remote corner of the arrival hall. It was under discreet surveillance for a while to see if someone appears to attend it. However, when no one approached, it was confiscated and taken up for further examination. Two packets wrapped with black tape were found inside the pipes of the cart. Five gold cut bits weighing 290 grams (0.639 lbs) estimated at Rs. 15 lakhs (USD 20,398) were retrieved from it.

A total of 486 grams (1.071 lbs) of 24K purity gold valued at Rs. 25 lakhs (USD 33,998) was obtained and seized. The Commissioner of Customs stated that further investigation is underway.