In a significant operation, the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) seized 12.621 kg of gold worth Rs 8.04 crores at Anna International Airport on Monday. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident: a customer service officer from Indigo Airlines and a Sri Lankan transit passenger.

According to an official statement, the AIU acted on intelligence reports to intercept Mohammed Barkathullah, an Indigo Airlines customer service officer, at the departure gate. A search revealed gold pouches concealed in a rubbery paste form hidden in his shoes.


Further investigation led to the discovery of an additional 36 gold pouches, also in paste form, in Barkathullah's shoulder bag stored in the staff room. The gold was intended to be collected from transit passengers en route to Colombo.


The recovered gold paste was processed to yield 24K purity ingots weighing 12.62 kg, with an estimated value of Rs 8.04 crores. The seizure was carried out under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.


Barkathullah, along with the transit passenger Abdulla Komu Jaljahan, a Sri Lankan national identified by the staff, were promptly arrested.