Customs Officials Nab Passenger with Gold Worth Over Rs 96 Lakh at Ahmedabad Airport
In a significant operation, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs department made a major arrest at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Sunday. Authorities apprehended a passenger arriving from Dubai for attempting to smuggle a substantial quantity of 24-carat gold into the country. The total seizure amounted to an impressive 601.9 grams of pure gold, with an estimated market value surpassing Rs 96 lakh.
Intelligence-Led Interception and Initial Discovery
The successful bust was the result of meticulous intelligence work conducted by the Ahmedabad Customs AIU team. Officers, acting on specific information developed through advanced passenger profiling techniques, strategically intercepted the individual upon his arrival from Dubai. A preliminary examination quickly yielded results.
"During the initial check, the passenger was found to be carrying two gold bars and one cut gold bar, cleverly hidden inside his pocket purse," an official Customs release detailed. This initial haul alone weighed 324.1 grams of 24-carat purity, valued at approximately Rs 51.7 lakh.
Shocking Concealment Method Uncovered
The investigation took a more audacious turn during a thorough secondary examination. Customs officers discovered that the passenger had employed an even more brazen method of concealment for nearly half of the contraband.
- Approximately 278 grams of gold had been converted into a paste-like substance.
- This gold paste was then meticulously concealed within the underwear the passenger was wearing.
- The combined value of the paste and the bars brought the total seizure to a staggering Rs 96 lakh.
This case highlights the increasingly inventive and personal methods smugglers use to evade detection at international borders. The use of clothing for concealment represents a direct challenge to airport security protocols.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications
The arrested individual is currently in custody as the Ahmedabad Customs AIU continues its investigation. Officials are probing the smuggling network behind this attempt, including potential connections and the intended destination for the high-value gold within India. Such large-scale seizures underscore the relentless efforts of Indian Customs authorities to combat financial crimes and the illegal flow of precious metals, which can impact the national economy and market stability. The case serves as a stern warning to those involved in similar illicit activities across the country's airports.
