Customs officials seize gold worth $80,446.90 hidden in aircraft in northern India
by ShravyaIn a significant bust, customs officials at an airport in northern India’s Delhi have seized 1.05 kilograms of foreign-origin gold valued at Rs. 67 lakhs (USD 80,446.90).
The incident took place at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on May 20.
Visuals showed Customs officials extracting gold bars from a narrow pipe hidden beneath a passenger seat in the aeroplane. The gold, tightly packed inside the pipe, is carefully pulled out by the officers, revealing the concealed stash.
In a meticulously planned operation based on developed intelligence, customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) conducted a thorough rummage of an aircraft arriving from Ahmedabad and seized 1.05 kilograms of foreign-origin gold. The gold, estimated to be worth Rs. 67 lakhs (USD 80,446.90), was cleverly hidden in a pipe beneath one of the seats.
The recovered gold has been confiscated, and further investigation is underway to identify those involved in this smuggling attempt. Authorities are looking into the passenger manifest and other relevant details to trace the origins and intended recipients of the gold.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of gold smuggling in India, where high import duties and strict regulations often drive such illegal activities. Customs officials at IGIA remain vigilant, utilizing intelligence and advanced screening techniques to thwart smuggling efforts.