MUMBAI: Seven people have been detained as part of the Customs Department's ongoing crackdown on smuggling, which has resulted in the seizure of 15 kg of gold and Rs 22 lakh worth of foreign currency in just 24 hours.

As part of a stepped-up effort to apprehend gold and foreign money smugglers, Mumbai Airport Customs made the seizure between October 11 and 12 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

An Indian national who took Emirates flight EK-500 from Dubai to Mumbai was found in possession of 9.9 kg of gold, worth Rs. 5.20 crore, concealed in a chest belt with nine pouches that was custom made and worn across his chest and shoulder. The accused claimed that two Sudanese nationals, who were also apprehended, gave the gold to him in Dubai. The trio has been held in judicial prison for 14 days.

An Indian travelling from Chennai on IndiGo flight 6E-6149, which had previously come from Sharjah, was found with 1.88 kg of gold dust hidden in his underwear, valued at around Rs 1 crore.

In another bust, the Customs sleuths found two passengers who had flown in from Jeddah on Saudia aircraft SV-772 with bags containing 1.068 kg and 1.185 kgs of gold dust, totaling more over Rs 1.10 crore.

A Sudanese national who arrived in this country on Emirates aircraft EK-504 from Dubai was apprehended with 973 g of gold dust in wax in the shape of eggs, valued at Rs 51 lakh, hidden in his rectum.

In addition, after they had passed the Customs declaration line, the Customs detained two Indians who were set to board SpiceJet flight SG-13 to Dubai with each carrying Dh 50,000 (Rs 11.20 lakh) and Dh 45,000 (Rs 10.08 lakh), hidden in round cavities of cookies packed in their pockets.

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