Airport staffer caught with 3kg gold hidden in underwear at Mumbai airport

MUMBAI: Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted an airport staffer, Soheal Ahmed Siddique (37), in the early hours of May 19 while he was passing through the staff exit gate with 3 kgs of gold worth Rs 2.66 crore.

Acting on suspicion, the Air Intelligence Unit conducted a personal search and discovered six gold-filled capsules weighing 3 kg, concealed in a grey sock hidden in his underwear.

During interrogation, Siddique admitted he received the capsules from a transit passenger in the airport’s smoking lounge. The gold dust, certified as 24KT and valued at Rs 2.66 crore, was seized on the spot.

Further, Siddique confessed to previously smuggling gold of similar value.

The agency is trying to identify the transit passenger who handed gold to Siddique.