Flight Delay Results in Seizure of 2.2 kg Gold at Chennai Airport
Flight delay leads to seizure of 2.2kg gold at Chennai airport
The Times Of India
Image: The Times Of India
A delay in an Air India flight from Singapore to Chennai led to the discovery of 2.2 kg of gold worth ₹3.15 crore hidden under a passenger seat. The gold, suspected to be destined for a smuggling operation in Mumbai, was uncovered during a cleaning process after the flight was diverted to Bengaluru due to bad weather.
- 012.2 kg of gold worth ₹3.15 crore was seized at Chennai airport.
- 02The gold was hidden under a passenger seat on a delayed flight.
- 03The Air India flight was diverted to Bengaluru due to inclement weather.
- 04Customs officials suspect the gold was meant for a smuggling operation in Mumbai.
- 05Smugglers often use international flights to evade customs checks.
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On April 6, a delay in the arrival of Air India flight AI347 from Singapore to Chennai resulted in the seizure of 2.2 kg of 24-karat gold valued at ₹3.15 crore. The flight, which usually lands in Chennai at 11:25 AM, was diverted to Bengaluru due to heavy rain. After returning to Chennai at 3:40 PM, the aircraft underwent deep cleaning, during which customs officials discovered 18 gold biscuits concealed under a passenger seat. Authorities believe the gold was intended for a smuggling operation in Mumbai, as smugglers typically use international flights to transport gold and then transfer it to domestic routes to avoid detection. If the gold were meant for Chennai, it would likely have been in a form that is more difficult to detect, such as paste or powder.
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The seizure of the gold highlights ongoing smuggling operations in India, particularly through Chennai airport, which may impact local law enforcement and customs procedures.
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