Big Gold Haul At Lucknow Airport As Customs Catches Two Smuggling It From Dubai

Lucknow, January 1 (TNA) Due to the promptness of Air Customs, two smugglers were caught at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on the last day of the year. The passenger, a resident of Rae Bareli had reached Lucknow by Air India Express flight number IX 194 which came from Dubai to Lucknow.

The smuggler, who reached Lucknow from Dubai by hiding 3.5 kg gold in the boiler of the coffee machine, was arrested by the Customs team at Amausi Airport. At the same time, another smuggler had brought 554 grams of gold hidden in his body in the flight from Sharjah. He has also been caught. 4.05 kg gold, worth Rs 2.55 crore, was recovered from both the smugglers.

On examination, the coffee machine appeared to be much heavier than usual. When the machine was checked with a scanner, its boiler part appeared black. As suspicion deepened, the machine was cut with a cutter. On this, two gold rings were found inside it, which looked like big nutbolts. These were welded and hidden in the boiler.

In another incident, a passenger who came by Indigo flight from Sharjah to Amausi was investigated by the Customs on the basis of suspicion. After checking with the scanner, 554 grams of gold was found hidden in his body. The passenger confessed to smuggling. Both passengers are being arrested and are being interrogated.