Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Jul 3: So far, people have smuggled gold into the country mostly from the Gulf region, mainly through Kerala airports. A number of such people have been caught, and the officials and people alike have appreciated the ingenious ways deployed by some of the smugglers to go unidentified.

A new trick was played by a passenger at the Karipur airport. Shaffi (31) from Uppala came by a flight duly wearing trousers plated with gold. However, the customs officials at the airport could not be hoodwinked.

Karipur airport (file photo)

It is estimated that the value of gold plated to his trousers could be about half a kilo that is worth around Rs 20 lac. For the first time in the history of Karipur airport such a novel method was applied and the smuggler was caught. The customs could identify the person based on secret information received by the directorate of revenue intelligence.

Gold in liquid form was plated inside the trousers. In order to ensure that the officials do not easily identify the trick, another lining cloth was stitched over the plated gold.

In addition to Shaffi, the customs officials also seized gold worth Rs 1.2 crore from other three passengers.