Kochi: Two women passengers returning from Dubai were detained at Kochi airport Thursday after they were found to be carrying 20 kg of gold, an official said.

Preliminary investigations suggest their involvement in a gold-smuggling racket, the official said.

They were each carrying 10 kg gold hidden inside their garments, the official added.

Close to 28 kg of gold has been seized by Kochi air customs in the last one week.