Air Hostess Held In Kerala For Smuggling Almost 1kg Gold Concealed In Rectum

An air hostess employed with the Air India Express was caught while allegedly smuggling almost around 1 kg gold concealed in her rectum on a Muscat to Kannur flight, a source from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) informed on Thursday.

Acting on the intelligence inputs, the Kannur DRI intercepted the air hostess, Surabhi Khatun, a Kolkata native, arriving from Muscat at the Kannur International Airport on May 28. On searching, it was found that Khatun was carrying 960 gm of gold in compound form in her rectum, the source informed.

She was produced before the magistrate and remanded for 14 days in Kannur women's prison following the interrogation and necessary formalities.

Interestingly, this is the first case in India where an airline staff has been caught red-handed for smuggling gold by concealing it in their rectum, the source added.

Detailed investigation revealed that Khatun has smuggled gold into Kerala several times in the past. Cops are now investigating the involvement of Kerala-based individuals who are part of the smuggling racket.

"We confirm that an incident is being investigated by the Customs authorities at Kannur airport involving an employee. We are cooperating with the investigative authorities," an Air India Express spokesperson said.