Chennai airport witnessed a significant gold seizure on Tuesday, with Customs officials recovering nearly 12 kilograms of gold worth Rs 7.58 crore. The operation led to the arrest of 10 passengers who had arrived from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The Customs department acted on specific intelligence provided by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Upon arrival, the 10 passengers were intercepted by Customs officials on July 24.

An initial examination of the passengers revealed the smuggling attempt. The passengers were found to be in possession of gold biscuits hidden in their baggage and gold in paste form concealed in their undergarments.

An official release by the Principal Commissioner of Customs, R Srinivasa Naik, confirmed the arrests and the recovery of the precious metal. The gold was seized under the relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962.