Chennai, Nov 10 (IANS): Chennai Air Customs on Tuesday said that five persons have been arrested from the airport for attempting to smuggle in 3.5 kg gold worth about Rs 1.85 crore.

In a statement issued here, Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport said four passengers who arrived from Dubai by Emirates flight were searched on Monday.

Two packets of gold paste weighing 114 grams were found stitched inside the face mask of one passenger and one gold chain of 50 gram was also recovered.

Other three on persistent questioning accepted carrying gold paste bundles concealed in their rectum.

16 bundles of gold paste were recovered from their rectum.

Total 1.84 kg gold valued at Rs 97.82 lakh was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962. Three were arrested.

According to Customs, earlier seven passengers who had arrived from Dubai by Flights Indigo and Emirates were intercepted at exit on the suspicion of carrying gold.

On personal search of a passenger plastic pouches of gold in the form of paste stitched inside his jeans were recovered.

From another passenger gold cut bits were recovered from pant pocket.

Five passengers on persistent questioning accepted carrying gold paste bundles concealed in their rectum.

Twelve bundles of gold paste were recovered from their rectum, six strips from jeans and five gold cut bits were recovered from pant pocket.

Total 1.65 kg gold valued at Rs 87.48 lakh was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and two were arrested.