Malappuram: An attempt to smuggle gold worth Rs 76 lakh from Abu Dhabi to India via the Karipur International Airport was foiled by the police. Police have taken a passenger and a person associated with the smuggling gang under custody.
The 24 carat gold weighing 1,260 grams was seized outside the airport from Malappuram Valancherry native Shafiq (34). The man was trying to smuggle the gold in capsule form concealed inside his body.
Shafiq was intercepted by the Malappuram police after he had finished the customs check and crossed the recently installed modern X-ray facility machine costing Rs 70 lakh, outside the airport. Based on a confidential information received by Malappuram district police, Shafiq was arrested. He was taken to the hospital for medical examination and four capsules were found in his stomach. Following which, Malappuram native Rafeeq (40) from Thirurangadi was apprehended by the police from outside the airport, as he had come to receive the gold from Shafiq. Rafeeq’s car was also taken into custody by the police. He is being questioned in detail regarding his involvement in the smuggling attempt.
