Diamond theft: 3 AI loaders arrested

MUMBAI: Three Air India (AI) cargo loaders were on Sunday arrested for allegedly robbing a Rs 4.5 crore consignment containing gold ornaments and polished diamonds from the high security Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

The incident had occurred on Thursday when the Thai Airways flight from Bangkok (TG-317) arrived at Mumbai airport with the consignment.

"The three loaders Prakash Shinde, Jerial D'Costa and Rajesh Rajak who work in the container dumping ground where empty or abandoned containers are kept, were arrested for suspected involvement in the case," Assistant Commissioner of Police Airport Division, Janardhan Garje said.

The consignment containing 3.5 kg gold ornaments and 71 polished diamonds collectively worth Rs 4.5 crore was stolen when the ornaments were kept at the dumping ground.

AI is the local ground handler for goods arrived by Thai airways.