Air Customs officials seized gold worth Rs. 49 lakh (USD 67,215) from southern India's Chennai International Airport on February 8.

The suspects were intercepted at the terminal of the airport.

Visuals witnessing the smuggled items feature two packets wrapped with black adhesive tape. On opening it, six gold bars are obtained and recovered. Along with it, a molten chunk of this precious metal is also seized. In addition to that, three black bundles crammed with gold can also be seen amid other illicit assets.

A 22-year-old, identified as Haroon Rashith of Chennai, who arrived from Dubai by Fly Dubai flight FZ-8515, was intercepted at the exit. On further search, two packets wrapped with black adhesive tape were recovered from his pant pocket. On cut opening, six gold cut bits weighing 350 grams (0.77 lbs) worth Rs. 17 lakh (USD 23,318) were seized.

In another case, a 25-year-old, identified as Mohammed Manas of Ramanathapuram, who arrived from Sharjah by Indigo flight 6E-8245, was intercepted at the exit. On further examination, three bundles of gold paste weighing 740 grams (1.6 lbs) were recovered from the rectum. On extraction, it bore 660 grams (1.4 lbs) of gold worth Rs. 32 lakh (USD 43,894), and he was arrested by the officials.

A total of 1.01 kg (2.2 lbs) of gold valued at Rs. 49 lakh (USD 67,215) was retrieved and seized under Customs Act. Further investigation into the matter is underway.