An airline passenger was caught in India after customs officials uncovered an attempt to smuggle gold from the UAE to Kerala.
The suspect, an Indian citizen, was arrested at Kozhikode Calicut International Airport after disembarking the flydubai Boeing 737 at about 6pm on Tuesday, Indian media reported.
The traveller attempted to smuggle 908 grams of gold worth about Dh195,000.
The gold was concealed in three capsule-shaped packets and a plastic pouch hidden inside a cotton belt worn around the passenger's waist.
High taxes in India make smuggling gold from the Middle East a lucrative business.
The goods and services tax on gold in India is 18 per cent.
Buying gold in grams is popular for small-time investors because it is easier to store and requires cheaper insurance than for a 26g bar.
Gold is currently trading at about $60 (Dh220) per gram, or about 4,470 Indian rupees.
This month, Indian border officers stopped a woman who flew to Kochi, Kerala, from Muscat, Oman, and recovered 24-carat gold chains worth about Dh50,000.
A major investigation also began in Kerala and the UAE this month after the interception of 30kg of gold into India from the Emirates.
The gold, valued at Dh7 million, was concealed in aluminium cylindrical locks and disguised as foodstuff in diplomatic baggage.
Air cargo containing the gold was addressed to the UAE consulate in the southern city of Thiruvananthapuram
The tax saving on the shipment would have amounted to Dh1.25 million.
Arrests were made in Thiruvananthapuram, where the package transited through, while an Interpol blue notice was issued for suspects in Dubai.
if you go
The flights
Air France offer flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Cayenne, connecting in Paris from Dh7,300.
The tour
Cox & Kings (coxandkings.com) has a 14-night Hidden Guianas tour of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, a local tour manager and guided sightseeing. Contact for price.
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
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SPECS
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The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
