Three arrested for smuggling gold worth Rs 2.36 crore at airport

NEW DELHI: Three persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle in gold bars worth about Rs 2.36 crore at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here.

The accused were intercepted by customs officials in separate incidents. They had arrived from Dubai and Bangkok in separate flights yesterday, customs officials said.

The total gold weighing 8.4 kgs collectively valued at Rs 2.36 crore was seized from these passengers. The gold was seized and the passengers were arrested, they said.

Two male passengers hails from Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) and Ludhiana (Punjab) respectively. They were allegedly carrying five kgs of gold. Whereas the woman passenger, who is a native of Ludhiana in Punjab, was carrying three kgs gold, the officials said.

There was another passenger, who was allegedly smuggling in 455 gms of gold valuing about Rs 12.68 lakh. He was also intercepted by the customs officials. However, the passenger was let off after initial investigation but the gold was seized, they said.