PESHAWAR: The customs department on a tip-off on Friday arrested four passengers and seized a total of 27 kilogramme gold from their possession at the Bacha Khan International Airport, relevant officials said.

The customs officials recovered 56 TT (ten tola) bars from a passenger who identified himself as Ismail Khan. He had arrived at the airport from Dubai via an Emirates Airline flight.

The gold was recovered during checking of his shoes. It weighed 6.526 kilogrammes. The accused belongs to Ormar area of Peshawar.

It was learnt that the approximate price of the gold in the open market was Rs28 million. The accused person was arrested and further investigation was underway.

The second huge consignment of 173 bars, weighing 1,730 tola (21 kilogrammes) was recovered from possession of three passengers who had arrived from Dubai via a PIA flight. The accused were identified as Kashif Zaib, Mohammad Shakeel and Zacer Khan.

It was learnt that they had concealed the gold bars in their shoes, belts wrapped around their waists.

The approximate price of the total seized gold is stated to be Rs114 million in the open market, according to customs officials.

The officials said the alleged smugglers were under investigation.

Customs collector Qurban Ali Khan told Dawn that the customs department had tightened checking at all the points to ensure an end to the menace of smuggling.

He said the seizure of gold and other items would help increase the national revenue.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2017