Customs officials at Kochi International Airport have arrested an Air India Express crew member for attempting to smuggle gold into the country. The accused, identified as Shafi Sharaf, was caught with 1.48 kilograms of gold during routine checks based on specific intelligence inputs. The incident has once again raised concerns over the involvement of airline staff in gold smuggling activities.
Arrest Based on Intelligence:
Acting on specific intelligence regarding a possible smuggling attempt, customs officials kept a close watch on the crew member upon arrival at Kochi International Airport.
Interception During Routine Checks:
Shafi Sharaf was intercepted during routine customs inspection, where officials conducted a detailed search after noticing suspicious behavior.
Recovery of 1.48 kg Gold:
During the search, customs authorities recovered 1.48 kilograms of gold that had been cleverly concealed to evade detection.
Airline Staff Under Scrutiny:
The case highlights a recurring pattern of smuggling attempts involving airline crew members, raising serious questions about internal misuse of privileges.
Further Investigation Underway:
Authorities are investigating the source of the gold and are also probing whether the incident is linked to an organized smuggling racket operating through airline personnel.