Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have arrested an Indian male passenger and a duty manager of Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) posted at Terminal-3 while they were exchanging the smuggled gold bars worth Rs 14 lakhs in a toilet inside the airport premises. They also arrested a staff member of Sri Lankan Airlines for allegedly assisting the passenger in smuggling gold bars.

According to Dr Amandeep Singh, Additional Commissioner of Customs, they had received specific inputs regarding a male passenger following which an officer of Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) stopped the man.

“The man after de-boarding flight, which had come from Dubai at Terminal-3, went to the toilet in international arrival hall. The man was caught red handed by officers while he was handing over the smuggled gold bars to the duty manager of AISATS in the toilet.

Both were searched which resulted in the recovery of four gold bars weighing around 464 grams with market value around Rs 14 lakh,” said Dr Singh.

AISATS is a joint venture between Air India Limited and Singapore-based SATS Limited which works as a gateway services and food solutions provider in Asia.

"During questioning, they also disclosed a staff member of Sri Lankan Airways working a station security coordinator who assisted the passenger in smuggling the gold.

Duty manager and staff member of the Sri Lankan airways have also admitted smuggling of similar gold previously on one occasion," said Dr Singh.

"Above case was a significant success as we managed to break an organised smuggling ring involving mid level airline and ground handling staffers. All accused have been placed under arrest under the provision of section 104 of the customs act. Further investigation is going on," Dr Singh added.