Three held for smuggling gold worth Rs 49 lakh at IGI Airport

Three people have been arrested by customs officials for their alleged involvement in smuggling into the country gold worth over Rs 49 lakh at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), an official release said today.
The trio, including a computer operator of a private firm engaged in providing certain services at the airport, have been allowed in another case of smuggling of gold.
In the latest incident, a passenger was intercepted by the customs after his arrival from Riyadh on Monday.
A detailed personal search of the passenger resulted in the seizure of about 1.8 kg gold, valued at Rs 49.42 lakh, according to a press release issued by the customs.

During investigation, it was found that he was part of a three-member syndicate involved in smuggling, it said.
Besides the passenger, the computer operator and another person who was waiting outside the airport for taking delivery of the gold, have been arrested, the release said.
The value of the gold admitted to have been facilitated for illegal import by them in the past is around Rs 45.72 lakh, it said.