NEW DELHI: An immigration staff posted at international airport here has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold valued about Rs 46 lakh with the connivance of a passenger.
Acting on inputs, the customs officials intercepted the duo near baggage belt while the immigration assistant was taking gold from the passenger who had arrived from Bangkok.
“He was carrying two gold bars of one kg each. Both have been arrested,” said Vinayak Azaad, Additional Commissioner of the customs at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
The value of the gold, which has been seized, is assessed to be Rs 45.88 lakh. “The accused, who was working as immigration assistant at the airport, is head constable of Delhi Police. He was posted at the airport on deputation. The Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has been informed about the incident and he has been taken off the roster,” he said.
In another case, a man has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle in gold valued about Rs 27 lakh. The accused was intercepted yesterday by the customs officials after his arrival from Kuala Lumpur.
On detailed examination of his baggages and personal search, six pieces of gold total weighing 1.080 kgs and valued at Rs 27.37 lakh were recovered. They were concealed inside the two electric plates and wheels of a hand bag, carried by him, a press release issued today by the customs said.
The passenger has been arrested, it said.
In separate incidents, the customs officials have also seized 1.5 kgs of gold, which was being illegally brought into the country, in past three days.
