Customs Seizes Gold Worth ₹35.84 Lakh from Woman Arriving from Dubai
Significant Gold Smuggling Case at Ahmedabad Airport
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Ahmedabad, July 28: Authorities at Ahmedabad Customs have confiscated 244.16 grams of 24-carat gold, valued at approximately ₹35.84 lakh, from a female passenger who allegedly hid gold paste within her body upon her arrival from Dubai. This incident is part of a growing trend of smuggling cases identified at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Customs officials reported that the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) acted on specific intelligence provided by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and intercepted the woman after she disembarked from Flight FZ-437 from Dubai on Monday.
Upon thorough examination, it was discovered that the passenger had concealed around 270 grams of gold paste internally.
The paste was processed and transformed into a 24-carat gold bar weighing 244.16 grams. The market value of the recovered gold is stated to be ₹35,84,269.
This consignment has been seized in accordance with the Customs Act of 1962. Ongoing investigations aim to clarify the details surrounding the smuggling attempt and ascertain whether the passenger was acting alone or as part of a larger smuggling operation.
This seizure follows a series of recent gold smuggling incidents at Ahmedabad airport, particularly involving travelers from Gulf countries.
Just last week, AIU officials apprehended another woman arriving from Abu Dhabi, who was found to have concealed two 24-carat gold bars weighing 233 grams within her clothing.
The gold, estimated to be worth around ₹34.3 lakh, was also seized under the Customs Act, prompting an investigation.
Earlier this month, Customs officers confiscated gold jewelry weighing 729 grams, valued at nearly ₹98.79 lakh, from a woman arriving from Abu Dhabi. It was alleged that the jewelry was hidden in her handbag and under her clothing to avoid customs duties. Authorities have recently identified more advanced smuggling techniques.
On July 22, two passengers arriving from Dubai were found with 129.18 grams of gold paste concealed in the collars of their shirts.
Additionally, another passenger from Dubai was arrested earlier this month for allegedly hiding gold paste worth over ₹4 crore in specially designed undergarments.