Tangerang, Banten, Aug. 13 -- Customs authorities at Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta) International Airport have thwarted attempts to smuggle 23.7 kilograms of 24-karat gold worth Rp63 billion (US$3.52 million), arresting seven Chinese nationals and an Indonesian ground-handling employee in two separate operations.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed the busts during a press conference on Thursday (August 13), praising the joint operation with Airport Aviation Security (Avsec) that dismantled two separate smuggling schemes in less than 24 hours at Terminal 3.

The first operation targeted seven Chinese nationals who were preparing to depart for Hong Kong aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX798 and Garuda Indonesia flight GA860.

Customs off...