Gold and foreign currency worth Rs. 79.23 lakh was seized at the Chennai International Airport in India on February 22, and the suspects were intercepted at the terminal of the airport.

Visuals of the smuggled items feature a cubicle wrapped with black adhesive tape. Upon opening it, two gold bars are seen crammed inside them. Furthermore, a bundle of foreign currency, wrapped in black adhesive tape also were recovered amid, other illicit items.

Air Customs officials seized gold and foreign currency worth Rs. 79.23 lakh (USD 1,09,468) from southern India's Chennai international airport on February 22. The suspects were intercepted at the terminal of the airport.

Visuals witnessing the smuggled items feature a cubicle wrapped with black adhesive tape. On opening it, two gold bars are seen crammed inside them. Furthermore, a bundle of foreign currency, wrapped in black adhesive tape also gets recovered amid other illicit items.

A 26-year-old passenger, identified as Ajmal Khan, hailing from Vellore arrived from Dubai by Emirates flight EK 544. Some of the officers noticed that he went to the washroom in the arrival hall, and did not appear for a considerable amount of time. When they checked the toilet, they found him hiding one of the cubicles.

Following this, he was interrogated and told the authorities that he was smuggling gold. A packet containing two gold bars weighing 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) worth Rs. 71.85 lakh (USD 99,323) was recovered and seized from him. Furthermore, the officials arrested him.

In another case, a 25-year-old passenger named Rahuman Hameed of Ramanathapuram was intercepted after he had cleared immigration and was going to board a FlyDubai flight FZ 8516. On personal search, a bundle wrapped with black adhesive tape was recovered from his rectum. On opening it, USD 5000 in a denomination of 100 was recovered. Another USD 3300 and 7500 Saudi Riyals in the denomination of 500 were retrieved from his handbag.

A total of USD 8300 and 7500 Saudi Riyals worth Rs. 7.38 lakh (USD 10,201) were recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 read with Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) Regulations. Furthermore, he was arrested as he had a previous offense registered against him.

Total 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) gold worth Rs. 71.85 lakh (USD 99,323) was recovered, along with USD and Saudi Riyals worth Rs. 7.38 lakh (USD 10,201). Moreover, an investigation into the matter is underway.