Indian Cleaners Find 24 Gold Bars In Aircraft Toilet After Flight From Bangkok

Aircraft cleaners in Eastern India discovered a stash of gold bars in the bathroom of a commercial aircraft worth more than $1.1 million on Tuesday.

The 24 gold bars were discovered inside two bags aboard the Jet Airways flight as it was being cleaned in Kolkata airport, said officials.

The plane that carried the 2.2lb of gold had arrived from Bangkok earlier in the evening before making stops in India.

Gold smuggling in India is on the rise after the country raised its import duty from 10 percent to 15 percent, the third time it was raised this year as the country tries to reduce demand for precious metal. Indians traditionally hoard gold in the belief that it will bring them financial security.

"The cleaning staff of the airport were going through their routine duties and found two bags in the toilets of the plane," airport director BP Mishra told the AFP).

No arrests have been made, although news sources in India claim that one suspect is being questioned.

The gold may have a value of between 70 million and 90 million rupees ($1.4 million).