Colombo: A staff member of Airport and Aviation Services of Sri Lanka (AASL) was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport for attempting to smuggle around six kg of gold, worth more than 210 million Sri Lankan rupees (about 700,000 U.S. dollars), Sri Lanka Customs said yesterday.

According to Nam News Network, the 54-year-old suspect was intercepted at the airport’s staff exit while carrying 5.94 kg of 24-karat gold bars, concealed in his socks, customs officials said.

There are frequent attempts to smuggle gold through the airport. In July, Sri Lanka Customs seized the largest haul of gold in the country’s history, weighing 35 kg and worth 1.1 billion rupees (3.65 million dollars).