Customs nab 3 SL gold smugglers at Chennai airport in sting operation

CHENNAI: In a dramatic seizure, the city airport Customs officials intercepted 2.5 kg of gold worth approximately Rs 2.3 crore and arrested four individuals, including three Sri Lankan transit passengers and an airport ground handling contract staff, in a well-coordinated operation based on prior intelligence.

The incident unfolded on Monday when a private flight arrived at Chennai International Airport from Dubai. Acting on specific intelligence indicating a large gold smuggling attempt, officers from the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intensified surveillance of passengers disembarking the flight.

The customs personnel narrowed their suspicion and closely monitored three Sri Lankan nationals, who were transiting through Chennai for another flight to Sri Lanka. The trio went to a restroom and left, and shortly afterwards, the airport ground staff member also went inside the restroom.

When the staff member emerged, the officials were swift to nab him and uncovered gold bricks hidden on him. He confessed that he was instructed by the trio to retrieve the gold bricks hidden in the water tanks of the restroom and deliver it to a smuggling syndicate.

Acting on this information, Customs officials immediately apprehended the three Sri Lankan transit passengers who were waiting in the transit lounge, preparing to board their flight to Sri Lanka.