Chennai: Over three kg of gold, worth Rs 91 lakh, was seized today in two separate cases at Chennai and Kochi airports.
The airport customs authorities seized 1.3 kg of gold worth about Rs 37 lakh from the baggage of a 26-year-old man who arrived at Chennai from Kuwait.
He had concealed the gold in his baggage and it was detected during regular checks, the airport authorities said.
The gold was seized and the man, a native of Andhra Pradesh, was detained for further inquiries, they said.
In another case, a passenger, who arrived from Dubai at Cochin International Airport, was arrested as two gold bars valued at Rs 54 lakh was seized from his possession.
Officials said the two gold bars, totally weighing two kg, were found inside a bath towel of the passenger.
The gold bars are of 24 carat purity, the officials said.
The passenger, who is a native of Mallapuram, was attempting to exit the arrival hall by the green channel without declaring the gold for purpose of evading duty, they said.
The officials said, the passenger during questioning told them that he attempted to smuggle the gold for monetary benefit and that he was only a carrier of gold and not its owner.