BENGALURU: Two men who landed at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) hiding gold paste worth an estimated Rs 1.4 crore in custom-made waistbands and underwear were arrested by customs sleuths last week.
The gold, weighing more than 2.8kg, was seized and the suspects booked for smuggling and evasion of customs duty. KIA sources said the smuggling bid unfolded on Friday as the duo — a 21-year-old from Uttar Pradesh and a 31-year-old from Maharashtra — landed on Emirates flight EK 568 from Dubai.
Following touchdown, customs sleuths, armed with specific information, intercepted the passengers as soon as they reached the terminal.
When questioned, the duo gave unconvincing responses regarding their travel to Dubai, following which the sleuths frisked them and unearthed bands with gold paste hidden around their waist and concealed inside their underwear.
Probe is on to ascertain if they are part of a gang and if they had worked together to smuggle items from Dubai before.
