Gold worth Rs 70 lakh found inside cleaning mop at Chennai international airport | Watch
India Today
Officials at the Chennai international airport recovered Rs 70 lakhs worth of gold paste which was concealed inside the pipe of a cleaning mop that was being carried by housekeeping staff. The customs Air Intelligence Unit is conducting further investigations.
Airport authorities recovered Rs 70 lakh worth of gold paste that was kept concealed inside the hollow rod of a cleaning mop that was carried by a housekeeping member at Chennai International airport terminal.
On Thursday, September 29, at about 11.40 pm, a housekeeping staff member named L Ramkumar approached the Transit area carrying a cleaning mop. Ramkumar kept the mop in his hand outside the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) and reported for frisking.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) staff who were on duty, suspecting suspicious movement from the housekeeping staff, enquired about where he was going. The housekeeping staff, according to the official statement, replied that he was going to clean the transit area and others places nearby, which further compounded his suspicion.
Upon placing the cleaning mop under the scanner, it was found that a dense image of some objects was seen inside the pipe of the cleaning mop.
Further, upon a physical check by opening the mop rod, 10 pieces of small sticks of gold paste, wrapped with black tape, weighing a total of 1.811kg worth approximately Rs 70 lakhs were found.
The matter was informed to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of customs and in the wee hours of September 30, the housekeeping staff was handed over to AIU officials, who are conducting further investigation.
