New Delhi: Two Indian passengers arriving from Doha and Jeddah at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were caught for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold using a novel concealment method. Customs officials stated that the water bottles carried by these passengers had been specially modified with fake bottoms that concealed gold.
Innovative Concealment Method Uncovered
Customs officials reported that the two passengers arrived at Terminal 3 on Wednesday. An official described the modus operandi as ingenious, noting that water bottles were altered with fake bottoms hiding circular pieces of raw gold coated with silver color. These pieces were crafted to fit inside the bottles, making detection during routine checks extremely difficult.
Seizure Details
The concealment led to the seizure of 233.5 grams and 117 grams of gold from the two passengers respectively. Although the quantity seized was relatively small, officials emphasized the significance of the case due to the detection and exposure of this new concealment method by Delhi airport customs.
A video shared by customs shows an official slamming a blue-colored water bottle on the floor, resulting in the recovery of a circular bottom, which later turned out to be gold.
This incident highlights the continuous efforts of customs authorities to stay vigilant against evolving smuggling techniques. Passengers are reminded that smuggling gold is a serious offense, and authorities are equipped with advanced detection methods to uncover such attempts.
