Five held for smuggling gold worth Rs 1.6 cr at airport

Five persons have been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold valuing about Rs 1.60 crore at the international airport here in two separate incidents.
In a first case, two persons were intercepted today by customs officials after their arrival here from Bangkok.
The duo were found carrying gold bangles weighing about 2.3 kg and valued at Rs 60 lakh, the customs department said in a statement.
In another instance, three persons were intercepted on their arrival here on Tuesday. "On their detailed examination, four kilogram of gold was recovered," it said.
The value of the seized gold is about Rs one crore. All five accused, allegedly involved in both the cases, have been arrested.

There has been a sharp rise in cases of gold smuggling across the country.
Customs officials at Delhi international airport 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 people were arrested in these cases.