Suspected gold smugglers create chaos, escape from Lucknow airport

Lucknow: In a dramatic turn of events, 30 individuals suspected of gold smuggling managed to evade detention at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport by causing chaos and fleeing the scene.

Officials disclosed this development on Wednesday, indicating that the suspects taking advantage of the confusion after one of them feigned illness, facilitated their escape.

According to additional deputy commissioner of Police Shashank Singh, officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs Department intercepted 36 passengers arriving from Sharjah on Monday at the airport.

During the frisking process, officials discovered cigarettes valued at over Rs 3 crore and cash amounting to Rs 23.90 lakh on some of the passengers. Additionally, six individuals confessed to carrying gold.

The situation escalated on Tuesday when, during questioning, one of the remaining 30 passengers feigned illness, leading to chaos. Exploiting the commotion, all thirty individuals managed to flee, the officer stated.

A case has been filed, and efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects involved in the incident, the officer confirmed.

(with PTI inputs)