NEW DELHI, May 23: Three persons, including a Jet Airways employee, were arrested at international airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold bars valuing about Rs 24 lakh.
Acting on intelligence, customs officials intercepted the Jet Airways employee inside the airport on Wednesday as he was allegedly found carrying about 933.12 grams of gold bars worth Rs 23.77 lakh, customs officials said today.
During enquiry, it came to light that these gold bars were handed over to him by two passengers who had arrived on May 21 from Dammam in Saudi Arabia, they said.
All three accused were arrested and the yellow metal was seized, the officials said.
When contacted, a Jet Airways spokesperson said “appropriate action” will be taken in the matter.
“At Jet Airways, we have a strict employee code of conduct based on the values and ethos of the airline. Any violation of this policy could lead to severe disciplinary action. It is mandatory for all airline staff to comply with the company’s rules and regulations including customs and security laws.
“As regards the said incident, Jet Airways in accordance with the principles of natural justice and the employee code of conduct will take appropriate action in the matter,” the spokesperson said.
In another incident yesterday, an employee of a sub-contractor firm engaged by Delhi airport operator was arrested with two kg gold.
The accused was intercepted by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) after his movements were found suspicious. During his personal search, two gold bars weighing one kilogram each were recovered. The gold was worth Rs 50.96 lakh, customs officials said.
The gold bars were seized and the man arrested, they said, adding that further investigation in the matter was on.
Earlier, four persons were arrested in separate incidents of allegedly trying to smuggle in gold bars valued at about Rs two crore.
In the first case, a passenger was intercepted at the airport here by customs officials after his arrival from Dubai on Tuesday.
He had allegedly handed over five gold bars weighing one kg each to a ground handling staff engaged by a private firm at the airport.
The seized gold was valued at about Rs 1.26 crore.
Two more passengers were intercepted by customs officials on their arrival here from Bangkok on May 17.
Both had arrived in separate flights and had concealed gold in their rectum, customs officials said.
About 2.5 kg of gold valued at about Rs 60.19 lakh was recovered from them, they said.
There has been a surge in cases of gold smuggling across the country.
Customs officials at the international airport here have registered 363 cases of gold smuggling and seized 353 kg of the precious metal during 2013-14.
The value of the seized gold is approximately Rs 90 crore, officials said, adding 123 arrests were made in these cases. (PTI)
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