The customs department has arrested two men for allegedly trying to smuggle a gold Kada valued at Rs 17 lakhs through the Delhi airport. According to the official statement released by the Customs department. a passenger was intercepted by officials on his arrival from Bangkok on Friday. A detailed personal baggage search of the passenger and an airport staff resulted in the recovery of two gold rods crudely given the shape of a ‘kada’ (bangle), weighing 600 grams with the total value of Rs 17.18 lakh, it said.
“Further, an airport staff working for M/s Air India SATS was also intercepted. He was assisting the said passenger in smuggling,” said the statement. One of the alleged is reported to be an employee of Air India SATS. Air India SATS is a joint-venture between Air India and Singapore based SATS. Air India SATS offers ground handling services such as passenger and baggage handling, aircraft interior cleaning among others. The Indian aviation company subsequently claimed that it terminated services of the employee in question. While the passenger admitted that he was involved in smuggling of gold weighing 300 grams on previous occasions at Ahmedabad airport, “The Air India SATS staff also admitted that he had assisted some other passengers in smuggling of gold at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi earlier,” said customs department.
