Libyan authorities in Tripoli-based Mitiga airport foiled Sunday an attempt to smuggle 300 kg of gold and millions of foreign currency to Dubai via a flight to Istanbul.

A security source in Mitiga airport reported that five sophisticated smugglers were apprehended after they had passed their suitcases through onboard the plane with 300 kg of gold bars and one million and 700 thousand euros as well as half a million dollars.

The source added that the gold-bearing airplane was ordered to land back in Mitiga airport minutes after it had taken off upon a report by the plane crew saying there are gold bags onboard, which shows that some of the security personnel in the airport are involved in the smuggling attempt.

The arrested five smugglers have been sent to the Attorney General’s Office in Tripoli to investigate into the ins and outs of their smuggling endeavor.

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