Foreigner held at airport for gold smuggling

A Syrian passenger was today arrested from Mumbai International airport for allegedly trying to smuggle in gold worth Rs 37.8 lakh from Riyadh, Customs officials said.
"Passenger Omar Ali Youssef, holding Syrian Passport, arrived from Riyadh this afternoon on an Air India flight. He was intercepted after the screening of hand baggage, which revealed that he was carrying 13 gold bars collectively weighing 1.5 kg," A P S Suri, Commissioner of Customs, told PTI.
The value of the metal was estimated to be Rs 37.8 lakh, Suri said, adding that Omar was arrested on charge of trying to smuggle in the gold.

The interrogation of Omar was underway to establish the identity of the consignment receiver, he said.