Gold worth Rs 5 crore seized at Hyderabad airport

HYDERABAD: Gold bars worth over Rs 5 crore were today seized at the international airport here from three passengers, who were allegedly trying to smuggle the precious metal, officials said.

The trio, who arrived here from Singapore, have been arrested.

As many as 18 gold bars, each weighing one kg and valued at over Rs 5 crore, were seized from the passengers who landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad during wee hours, a customs official said.

The three, Hazi Mohammad, Ziauddin and Chokkalingam - who were travelling by a private airline - will be produced in a local court, he said.

The gold was meant to be smuggled to Chennai further, the official said, adding an investigation was on.