It was a case of mid-air drama, literally, as gold weighing 10.8 kg, concealed in an aircraft, was seized by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) as it was on its way to Mumbai from Chennai.
DRI sources said they had received specific information about the smuggling of gold from Muscat to Chennai, and then, to Mumbai in a flight. Following this, authorities kept a vigil on international flights, which also operated in the domestic sector. On Saturday, an Air India flight from Muscat landed in Chennai around 4.30 a.m. and then was to operate in the Chennai–Mumbai sector.
DRI authorities identified the smuggler as soon he landed at the Chennai airport. They followed him as he boarded the Chennai – Mumbai flight again. Soon after boarding the aircraft, he was joined by another person. As they recovered the gold concealed in the aircraft, the authorities caught them red handed, and seized the gold.
The duo was arrested once the flight landed in Mumbai.
DRI also made two more seizures on Saturday. In the first instance, two persons who came from Singapore had concealed two kg of gold in microwave ovens.
Another passenger, who came from Singapore, was found carrying 700 grams of gold. The total value of the seized gold was Rs. 3.89 crore, they said.
