A cunning gold smuggler was caught with a novel way of hiding his loot, by Indian customs officials at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state.

The officials received a tip-off that two passengers were smuggling gold.

The two suspects arrived on 19 February from Sharjah on Air India Express and were promptly intercepted.

A patient and thorough check on the first suspect Riyaz did not reveal any contraband.

But the officials grew suspicious of his hair and found that he was wearing a wig.

When they removed it they found gold paste weighing 646.5 grams (22.8 oz) glued to his scalp.

Another passenger, Rudal, was found smuggling 238.2 grams of gold in a carton.

According to the officials, the total value of the gold was 4,500,000 rupees (60,400 US dollars) and both men have been arrested.

Custom Department at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh received a tip off that two passengers were smuggling gold. The two suspects arrived on 19 February from Sharjah on Air India Express and were promptly intercepted. A patient and thorough check on the first suspect Riyaz did not reveal any contraband. But the officials grew suspicious of his hair and found that he was wearing a wig. When they removed it they found gold paste weighing 646.500 grams glued to his scalp. Another passenger Rudal was found smuggling 238.200 grams of gold in a carton. According to the officials the total value of gold is Rs 45 lakh and both the men have been arrested.