Gold worth Rs 7 crore seized at Hyderabad airport; 4 Sudanese women arrested

Hyderabad: In one of the biggest gold seizures of the year at the Hyderabad airport, customs officials seized 14,906.3 gm of gold worth Rs 7.89 crore from 23 Sudanese women at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Officials intercepted 23 women who arrived from Sudan via Sharjah by flight G9458 on 22 February. A regular check-up of their belongings yielded 14,906.3 gm gold (14,415 gm 22-carat gold and 491 gm 24-carat gold) valued at Rs 7.89 crores. The passengers had concealed the gold ornaments by creating cavities in their shoes tied under the feet and had also hidden contraband in the folds of their garments.

"Based on gold recovered, four from the group were arrested. A total of 14,906.3 gm of gold has been seized,” officials said. Further investigation is underway.

Earlier, on 11 January, the customs had seized 583.11 gm of gold valued at Rs 33.57 lakhs from a passenger who arrived from Dubai. The passenger had wrapped gold bars in a mobile cover with tape.