Kerala: Air India cabin crew held for smuggling 1.4kg gold concealed under uniform
The Customs Preventive Commissionerate had received confidential information that a cabin crew member of the Bahrain-Kozhikode-Kochi service, was attempting to smuggle gold into the country.
In Kerala’s Kochi Airport, an Air India cabin crew was arrested by customs officials for attempting to smuggle nearly 1,500 grams of gold.
Shafi Sharaf, a native of Wayanad, had concealed 1,487 grams of gold paste wrapped around his hands and covered with this uniform’s shirtsleeves.
The cabin crew intended to pass through the green channel of customs clearance, which is reserved for passengers who don’t have any duty-free goods to declare.
The Customs Preventive Commissionerate had received confidential information that a cabin crew member of the Bahrain-Kozhikode-Kochi service, was attempting to smuggle gold into the country.
Based on the tip-off, Shafi was apprehended by the customs officials , along with the local police. Shafi is being interrogated and further investigation is underway, said the officials.
“A member of the crew on an Air India Express flight IX 474 has been taken into custody following an incident involving smuggling. The said individual has been placed on suspension with immediate effect. Air India Express has zero tolerance for such behaviour and will be taking stern action against the individual including termination of service following receipt of the report from the investigative authorities,” read a statement from Air India Express.
The gold recovered from the Air India cabin crew was valued at over Rs 75 lakhs.
In a similar incident, gold bars worth Rs 3.32 crore were seized by the Customs department at Chennai international airport. Two passengers, including a Sri Lankan national, were arrested for attempting to smuggle 68 gold bars hidden in their luggage.
