Gold worth Rs 2 crore found on IndiGo flight from at Karipur Airport; Three arrested in connection

KOCHI: Gold worth Rs 2 crore was seized at Karipur Airport in Nedumbassery. The Customs officials seized gold from three passengers, 1.25 kg from two people and 472 grams from a foreign national. Among those apprehended was Shikama Takeo, a Japanese national arriving from Bangkok. Takeo attempted to smuggle 472 grams of gold disguised as seven biscuits concealed in a purse within a shoulder bag.

This incident follows recent seizures at Karipur Airport, reflecting an escalating trend of gold smuggling. Last week, Malayil Muhammad Jiyad (24) from East Kozhikode and Ashraf (30) from Pallikkara, Kasaragod were arrested with over 1.5 kilos of gold hidden in bread toast and concealed within their bodies. These seizures amounted to gold worth approximately Rs 88 lakh.

The Customs authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to curb the increasing smuggling attempts through the airport.