Customs officials seize 2.4kg gold hidden in blenders

CHENNAI: Customs officials at Chennai international airport on Wednesday seized 2.4kg gold worth Rs 74 lakh from two passengers who were carrying gold inside the motors of a blender. Both are from Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh.
Shaik Chandanam Basha, 54, had come to Chennai from Riyadh. He took a flight (Air Arabia G9 156) from Riyadh to Sharjah and a connecting flight (G9 471) from Sharjah to Chennai.
At Chennai airport, he was intercepted by customs officials and examined. From his baggage, the officials recovered two "Shake n Take3" (Chinese brand Mayee) blenders which were found to be unusually heavy. On dismantling them, the armatures of motors were also found to be abnormally heavy. When they were cut open, officials found gold concealed inside the body. Altogether they recovered 1.2kg gold worth Rs 36.5 lakh.
At the same time, another passenger Fayaz Ahmed Shaik Nayab, 35, too was intercepted on suspicion by customs officials at the exit of the arrival hall at Chennai airport. He had arrived from Riyadh via Bahrain by Gulf Air GF 168 (Riyadh to Bahrain) and GF 68 (Bahrain to Chennai).
His baggage too had two "Shake n Take3" (Chinese brand Mayee) blenders. When they were dismantled, officials found 1.2kg gold (worth Rs 37.5 lakh) concealed in the hollow armature body.
Both passengers were arrested under Customs Act.