Air India Express flight attendant arrested for concealing 1 kg of gold in rectum

The 26-year-old flight attendant, identified as Surabhi Khatun, was detained on May 28 upon landing at Kannur Airport in Kerala, India, according to a source from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) as quoted by India Today.

26-year-old flight attendant Surabhi Khatun. Photo from Surabhi’s Instagram

This marks the first instance in India where an airline crew member has been arrested for smuggling gold through rectal concealment.

A comprehensive investigation has been launched, with initial evidence indicating Surabhi Khatun's involvement in multiple gold smuggling activities.

DRI officials have also questioned several other cabin crew members suspected of connections to a gold smuggling ring operating in Kerala.

Earlier, the Customs Preventive Commissionerate in Kerala arrested another Air India Express cabin crew member, Shafi, for smuggling 1.45 kg of gold at Kochi airport last March.

Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, operates over 380 daily flights, connecting 32 domestic and 14 international airports with a fleet of 74 aircraft, according to the Times of India.