Customs AIU Arrests Woman with Rs 83 Lakh Gold Concealed in Body at Ahmedabad Airport
In a significant enforcement action, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department apprehended a woman at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. The arrest followed a targeted interception based on passenger profiling through the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), highlighting the effectiveness of modern risk assessment tools in combating smuggling.
Details of the Interception and Seizure
According to an official release from the customs department, the woman was intercepted after arriving at Terminal-2 on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Ahmedabad. Using APIS profiling, AIU officers flagged her as a high-risk passenger and stopped her while she attempted to exit through the Green Channel, which is designated for travelers with no dutiable goods.
During a thorough examination, officers discovered two oval-shaped capsules wrapped in black tape concealed in the woman's rectum. These capsules contained gold paste mixed with liquid chemicals, with a gross weight of 643.3 grams. After refining, officials recovered 553.1 grams of gold of 999.0 purity (24-carat), which has a market value of Rs 83,29,234 and a tariff value of Rs 75,58,393.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigation
The customs department seized the gold bar under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, as the passenger attempted to smuggle the precious metal into India through body concealment without declaring it to authorities. The woman was placed under arrest, and further investigation is underway to identify the source of the gold and its intended recipient, aiming to dismantle smuggling networks.
Understanding APIS Profiling
APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System) profiling is a critical pre-arrival risk assessment tool employed by customs and immigration authorities. Airlines transmit passenger details—such as name, passport data, nationality, and flight information—to Indian authorities shortly after departure from a foreign airport. This data is analyzed before the aircraft lands to identify high-risk passengers based on:
- Travel patterns and routes prone to smuggling
- Intelligence inputs and past records
- Other risk indicators
Passengers flagged through APIS are discreetly intercepted on arrival, often at the Green Channel, for detailed checks. This system enables targeted enforcement, helping detect smuggling activities while reducing random checks on low-risk travelers, thereby enhancing airport security and efficiency.
This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by Indian customs to leverage technology in curbing illegal activities, particularly in high-value sectors like gold smuggling. Authorities continue to monitor such cases closely to ensure compliance with trade regulations and national security protocols.
