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An Indian national was caught at the Mumbai international airport today while trying to smuggle in a gold bar worth Rs 15 lakh from Sri Lanka by concealing it in his rectum, a customs official said.
Acting on specific information, the middle-aged passenger, whose name has not been disclosed, was intercepted at the airport and presence of the metal was confirmed, after his body was scanned by a metal detector, the officer said.
The passenger landed at the airport from Colombo about 2 AM today, with 555 grams gold in the form of a bar, the officer added.
The gold valued at Rs 15 lakh was seized and the passenger was allowed to go as the Customs, as per rules, do not make arrest if the value of the gold recovered is below Rs 20 lakh, the officer said.
"The passenger would be under our scanner and summoned as and when required for questioning. After seizure of the gold, he was allowed to go," the officer said.
