Gold worth Rs 8 crore seized at Chennai airport; two women arrested

CHENNAI: Customs sleuths at Chennai airport thwarted an attempt to smuggle in 12 kg gold -- worth Rs 8 crore -- and arrested two women who landed here from Dubai in the early hours of Tuesday.

Based on information about gold being brought on an Emirates flight, customs sleuths tightened vigil at the airport and secured two women on suspicion.

As the women gave evasive replies to queries, they were subjected to searches. They were found to be hiding gold in their undergarments. Their checked-in luggage was also searched. Gold was found hidden in a secret cabin of a suitcase they carried.

In total, 12 kg gold was seized from the women. Further investigations were on.

Customs sleuths said the women would be arrested since the seized gold was of commercial quantity.

Foreign currencies seized

Income tax officials at the airport seized foreign currencies to the tune of Rs 2.8crore from a man who was about to board a flight to Bangkok on Monday night. He was handed over to customs sleuths.