Air India Express assures stern action against its cabin crew after gold smuggling charge

A day after an Air India Express cabin crew member was arrested for allegedly smuggling gold, the airline issued a statement confirming the arrest and threatening the staff.

“A member of the crew on an Air India Express flight IX 474 has been taken into custody following an incident involving smuggling. The said individual has been placed on suspension with immediate effect,” the airline’s statement read.

“Air India Express has zero tolerance for such behaviour and will be taking stern action against the individual including termination of service following receipt of the report from the investigative authorities,” it added.

The accused Air India Express cabin crew member, Shafi, a native of Wayanad, was apprehended by the Customs Air Intelligence Unit at Kochi Airport on Wednesday after 1.487 grams of gold were recovered from him.

“Air India Express cabin crew Shafi, a native of Wayanad, was arrested at Kochi Airport for smuggling 1.487 gms of gold. The cabin crew was of Bahrain-Kozhikode-Kochi service. Further interrogation underway,” Customs Preventive Commissionerate said.

He had gold wrapped around his hands and the sleeves of his shirt, and he intended to pass through the green channel. Officials added that he is being interrogated further.