SpiceJet suspends 2 for smuggling gold on flight from Dubai

Mangaluru: SpiceJet has suspended two employees arrested on charges of smuggling gold at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA). 

Investigators at the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday took the suspects into custody after they seized gold biscuits on board a Mumbai-Mangaluru flight from Dubai.

SpiceJet initiated disciplinary action against the employees Mohammed Anif and O A Muddaiah, suspending them from services pending investigation by authorities, a spokesperson for SpiceJet said in a statement.

"We are extending all our support to officials for smooth proceeding. Being a responsible corporate citizen, we would like to reiterate that we have zero tolerance for any malpractices by our employees and we will take such strict action against them as may be necessary," SpiceJet said.

DRI deputy director Vinayak Bhat had indicated complicity of the staff in the gold smuggling.

DRI investigators had retrieved 22 gold biscuits weighing 2566.050 grams and valued at 75,26,225 rupees from the aircraft after it landed at MIA at Kenjar.