Mangalore : One Shabab Mattummal (24) from Kolavayal in Kasargod who was found smuggling gold chains in a thermos flask was caught by customs officials at Mangalore International Airport on June 12, Wednesday.  The officials found nearly nine gold chains, including a stone studded chain hidden in a piece of paper   covered with a brown gum tape inside the thermos flask.

The man had come by an Air India Express flight from Dubai at 6.30 pm.  The smuggling came to light during the routine checking.  The gold chains weighed 157 grams and their price has been estimated at Rs 3.37 lakhs.

It is said he  had travelled between Mangalore and Dubai several times earlier too and the officials suspect that he might have smuggled gold in a similar fashion in the past too.