Summary
- Seven baggage handlers at New Delhi airport have been arrested for theft of items including gold, luxury watches, AirPods, and foreign currency.
- A dedicated police team was formed to investigate increased baggage thefts at the airport.
- The investigation revealed that some airlines were not following security guidelines set by the Indian Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
Seven baggage handlers have been caught red-handed concerning several thefts at the country’s busiest airport. Police have recovered a stash of gold, luxury watches, AirPods, and foreign currency as part of the heist.
Seven baggage loaders employed at New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) were arrested recently, as officials had seen an increase in thefts at the airport. Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla noted that there had been a focus on increased baggage thefts throughout the year, and to solve the issue, a dedicated team was put on the case.
Photo: wisely | Shutterstock
In addition to the seven arrested, a further six staff were being interrogated, and officials from the airlines concerned have been part of the investigation.
Pinched from the passenger
Officials researched which shifts had seen items go missing, and then the police team was set to scrutinize the CCTV footage and interrogate the loaders on that shift. One accused finally came clean and admitted to stealing various jewelry and selling it for cash. The culprit noted that he did not work alone and had been aided by others working for multiple airlines.
Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying
The items pinched and recovered included various golden earrings, golden chains, luxury watches, AirPods, Sunglasses, and foreign currency from five different countries.
Reports of missing items
Complaints were alleged during September when a passenger had arrived in Delhi from Melbourne via Singapore, where, when checking in for further domestic service, noted items in the bags had been moved, and her gold jewelry had gone missing. Another police report also came in on August 16th, when a domestic with Vistara had checked in Delhi bound for Goa, and a watch was stolen worth 468,000 Indian Rupee ($5,630).
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Outcomes from the investigation identified that certain airlines have not followed guidelines provided by the Indian Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
Silimar situations in the States
Over in Florida, Miami TSA agents were caught stealing from a passenger’s luggage at Miami International Airport earlier this year. Surveillance footage showed security agents rifling through a traveler’s luggage at the dedicated security checkpoint and pocketing particular items.
Photo: David Tran Photo | Shutterstock
As reported by Simple Flying, the three TSA agents were arrested for fraud and grand theft when the traveler complained about missing items and an investigation was launched. The police were called in after reviewing security footage and arrested Elizabeth Fuster (22), Josue Gonzalez (20), and Labarrius Williams (33) on July 6th. According to police affidavits, the three musketeers would work together and distract the unknowing passenger before pocketing items and sending the bag down the line.
Sources: ANINews