Myanmar Couple Held at Chennai Airport With Smuggled Gold Worth ₹2.65 Crore

Customs officials at Chennai airport arrested a middle-aged couple from Myanmar on Saturday after seizing nearly 2 kg of smuggled gold worth ₹2.65 crore, which they had concealed inside their bodies.

The interception marks the second gold smuggling seizure at the airport within a single week, prompting concerns among authorities that smuggling cartels are engaging foreign nationals to transport contraband into the city.

According to officials, the air intelligence unit of Chennai Customs first intercepted the female passenger on suspicion as she attempted to exit through the green channel. While she initially claimed that she was visiting Chennai for medical treatment, she could not produce any valid medical documents.

During interrogation, the woman admitted to concealing gold inside her body. Customs officers subsequently recovered multiple gold pellets wrapped in adhesive tape from her.

Following the recovery, customs sleuths subjected the woman’s husband to a search. Officials found that he had concealed two gold masses wrapped in transparent rubber pouches inside his rectum.

Customs officials noted that this is the first time they have encountered Myanmar nationals being engaged for gold smuggling operations. Inquiries revealed that the couple had travelled from Rangoon to Bangkok and continued their journey to Chennai on the same day.

Both individuals were arrested under provisions of the Customs Act and remanded in judicial custody.