A crew cleaning a Jet Airways commercial plane came across 24 gold bars worth more than $1.1 million. Where was this treasure stashed, you may ask? No other hiding place than the plane’s toilet compartment.
The gold was stored in two bags, found when the crew was cleaning the flight at Kolkata airport in India. India’s gold imports, one of the largest in the world, is considered a major contribution to the nation’s account deficit.
It raised duty on imports of gold jewelry for the third time recently, from 10% to 15%. The increases are in attempt to restrain demand for precious metal, which is hoarded by many Indians who believe it will provide them with financial security. Incentives for smuggling gold are increasing with the import duties.
Before stopping in India, the Jet Airways flight came from Bangkok. No arrests have been made in connection with the gold bars, but according to OneIndia News a suspect was being questioned.
Have you ever found money or some other treasure in a strange place? What did you find and where?
Courtesy of BBC News India
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25013393
Tags: deficit, duty, economy, find, gold, import, india, smuggle