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SCMP Reporter

Vietnamese authorities discovered almost 6.4kg of gold bars stashed in the cockpit of a Vietnam Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi last week - and  no one would admit owning  them.
Police found the gold in the co-pilot's seat on flight VN791 which arrived at 3pm from Hong Kong on February 11.
The crew -  a Polish captain, two Vietnamese co-pilots and seven flight attendants - denied  any knowledge of the HK$1.6 million  haul when questioned by police.
Polish captain Gerard Kolanowski,  co-pilot Trinh Quoc Chien  and apprentice Nguyen Thanh Trung  were suspended pending investigation, the Thanh Nien Daily  reported.
An official from Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport  said authorities were  probably tipped off about the gold  because investigators boarded immediately  after the plane landed.
Under Vietnam's airline regulations, passengers entering the country cannot carry jewellery worth more than 5 million Vietnamese dong (HK$2,300),  and passengers must obtain a gold import licence if they have gold exceeding this amount.
The airline allows pilots and flight attendant to carry goods, including gold, into Vietnam only once a month and limits the  value of such goods to  5 million dong.
Vietnam Airlines released a statement on Thursday saying it would take appropriate action against any staff found to be involved in the shipment,  Thanh Nien Daily reported.
Koo Tong-fat, director of  Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co,  said 6.4kg  of gold was worth about HK$1.6 million.
'A small jewellery firm may transport its gold by staff taking flights to other countries, but a big firm must transport its goods by cargo flight,' Mr Koo said.
Hong Kong Customs said  passengers  departing  Chek Lap Kok  airport were not required to declare  gold  they possess.
Gold smuggling into Vietnam has increased as the price has surged in the past six months.
The Vietnamese government temporarily suspended all gold imports in June last year to support the depreciating dong.
Vietnamese investors have rushed to buy gold as a hedge against  inflation.
Golden rules
Under Vietnam's airline regulations, passengers entering the country cannot carry jewellery worth more than HK$2,300
The value, in Hong Kong dollars, of the gold bars found on the co-pilot's seat on flight VN791 is: $1.6m



Crew quizzed as 6.4kg gold stash found on Vietnam Airlines flight