Kochi: Customs officials at Cochin International Airport arrested a young couple from Tamil Nadu after allegedly recovering gold paste containing more than 1.35 kg of 24-carat gold concealed on their bodies. The accused were identified as Rifnas Hamed Mohammed Sharif (26) and his wife Janofer Kadar Beevi Umar Farook (23), both residents of Pudukottai district. The couple had arrived from Abu Dhabi on an Air India Express flight on Monday when they were intercepted during a Customs inspection.

According to Customs officials, the seized gold paste weighed 1,353.92 grams and, after extraction, was found to contain 24-carat gold valued at approximately Rs 1.94 crore. The gold had allegedly been hidden inside the stitched waistbands of the trousers worn by the two passengers in an attempt to evade detection. Officials said the concealment was uncovered during a detailed examination carried out at the airport.

The total value of the seized gold has been estimated at Rs 1,93,55,640. Following the recovery, both passengers were taken into custody, and a case was registered under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act. Authorities said further investigation is underway to determine the source of the smuggled gold and whether the couple was linked to a larger smuggling network.