Air India Cabin Crew Member Arrested for Smuggling Gold at Chennai Airport
Cabin Crew and Passenger Intercepted: In a significant case of gold smuggling, a cabin crew member of Air India was arrested at Chennai International Airport for attempting to smuggle 1.7 kg of 24-carat gold. The incident occurred on Sunday when the Air India flight from Dubai landed in Chennai. Acting on a tip-off, customs officials intercepted the cabin crew member and a passenger.
According to a statement by the customs department, the passenger confessed to handing over the contraband to the crew member while onboard the flight. Following a thorough search, officials discovered the gold in compound form concealed within the undergarments of the cabin crew member. Both individuals have been taken into judicial custody, and further investigations are underway.
Air India has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.
Second Smuggling Attempt: Cocaine Worth ₹14.2 Crore Seized
In another operation at Chennai Airport, customs officials arrested a Kenyan national for smuggling 1.4 kg of cocaine. The woman, arriving from Addis Ababa on December 7 via Ethiopian Airlines, had ingested 90 capsules of cocaine to conceal the narcotics.
The customs department, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted the woman upon arrival. A medical-assisted search led to the egestion of 90 cylindrical hyperdense objects, which later tested positive for cocaine. The recovered cocaine is valued at approximately ₹14.2 crore in the international market.
The Kenyan woman was taken into judicial custody under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Authorities are probing further to ascertain connections in this international drug trafficking case.
Rising Smuggling Incidents at Chennai Airport
The back-to-back incidents highlight a growing trend of smuggling operations at major airports. Chennai International Airport, due to its strategic location and connectivity with global cities like Dubai and Addis Ababa, remains a critical point for anti-smuggling surveillance.
Customs officials continue to intensify checks to curb such illegal activities. These cases serve as a reminder of the critical role of intelligence and vigilance in tackling organized smuggling networks.
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