A Dubai-based Irish businessman has been arrested at the international airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle 10 kg of gold worth about Rs 2.50 crore.
42-year-old Andrew Edwin Minihan, who arrived by an Emirates flight here from Dubai last night, was allegedly found carrying ten bars of gold, concealed in his jacket.
He is suspected to be a "carrier" linked to a gold smuggling racket allegedly operating between Kerala and the Middle East, Customs officials said after preliminary investigation.
He had visited Kochi more than 10 times earlier and investigation was on to ascertain the purpose of his visits, the sources said.
A Customs release said the gold bars recovered were of 24 carat purity and approximately valued at Rs 2.50 crore.
Alleged involvement of a foreign national, particularly from a developed country like Ireland, in gold smuggling was a matter of "surprise" for the customs officials.
"There used to be arrests of foreigners for alleged possession of narcotics substance. This is perhaps for the first time in the recent period a foreign national is arrested for smuggling gold," said an official, who did not want to be named.
A thorough probe was required to find out the role of Andrew in gold smuggling activity, officials said. His laptop and mobile phone have been confiscated to study the extent of his role in gold smuggling activity, they said.
The Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi has been informed about the arrest and as per norms, he was allowed to speak to embassy officials, the customs sources said.
Andrew's arrest came close on the heels of customs in Kochi recently busting a huge smuggling racket involving 1,500 kg gold through the international airport.
