A Johannesburg diamond store employee was arrested after trying to smuggle out gold by stuffing it into a cooked chicken, Beeld newspaper reported on Thursday.

The employee of Browns ? The Diamond Store in Dunkeld, Johannesburg tried to smuggle out the gold from its workshop earlier this week.

But he was caught on his way out when a metal detector alerted security personnel, who found the chicken stuffed with gold.

It is not known how much gold was stuffed into the chicken.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe said the man had already appeared in court on a charge of attempted theft and the possession of suspected stolen goods.