The Customs team at the Kochi airport in Kerala intercepted a couple from Tamil Nadu allegedly carrying gold paste valued at around ₹2 crore.

Rifnas Hamed Mohammed Sharif, 26, and his wife, Janofer Kadar Beevi Umar Farook, 23, hailing from Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu, were arrested upon their arrival from Abu Dhabi on Monday (July 13, 2026). Customs officials seized gold paste and extracted gold weighing 1,353.92 grams, worth ₹1.93 crore. The contraband had been concealed inside the stitched waistline of the trousers worn by the couple.

Further investigation is underway.

Published - July 14, 2026 10:29 am IST