Air India crew hides Rs 72.46 lakh gold on London-Delhi flight, arrested

New Delhi: An Air India crew member and a catering staff were arrested by the customs officials for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold valuing about ₹ 72.46 lakh at the Indira Gandhi International airport, an official statement said on Monday.

The crew, who had come in a flight from London on Sunday, after seeing the customs officers had secreted the gold in the overhead bin of the aircraft, it said.

The officers later apprehended the staff of the catering company – M/s Ambassador Sky Chef – and “based on the discussion between the above said crew of Air India and staff of the catering company” recovered four ‘kadas’ of gold coated with silver colour from the aircraft on the identification of the crew, the statement issued by the customs said.

The total weight of the recovered gold is 1.667 kg, having tariff value of ₹ 72.47 lakh, it said.

The gold was seized and both the accused were arrested, according to the statement.

“Further, both the above said persons admitted their role in smuggling of 1.5 kg of gold on December 3, 2020 from London into India,” it said.