The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) foiled an alleged gold-smuggling attempt at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and recovered around 1,311 grams of suspected smuggled gold valued at approximately Rs 1.61 crore, news agency ANI reported quoting the security agency.
The interception was carried out by the CISF's Crime and Intelligence Wing (CIW) based on behavioural detection and heightened surveillance at the airport.
According to the CISF, the incident took place around 4.20 pm when its personnel noticed suspicious activity involving a loader near the Smoking Zone near the International Boarding Gate.
The loader was allegedly receiving a suspicious item concealed inside socks from a female international transit passenger who had arrived at Mumbai airport from Dubai and was scheduled to travel onward to Bangkok, CISF said.
The suspicious movement prompted CISF personnel to intervene and question the loader. As he allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, the security personnel conducted a detailed search.
During the search, CISF personnel recovered four oval-shaped capsules containing approximately 1,311 grams of suspected smuggled gold.
The recovered gold was valued at approximately Rs 1,61,38,417, according to the preliminary assessment.
Following the seizure, the female passenger, the loader and the recovered suspected smuggled gold were handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The customs authorities are expected to investigate the source and intended destination of the gold, the circumstances surrounding its concealment and the alleged involvement of the persons intercepted in the case.
The investigation by customs is underway to establish the complete chain behind the alleged smuggling attempt and determine whether additional persons were involved.
Gujarat man held with Rs 65.69 lakh gold concealed inside body
Ahmedabad Customs officials seized a 24-carat gold bar weighing 422.83 grams and valued at Rs 65.69 lakh after intercepting a passenger who had allegedly concealed gold paste inside his body at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad on Sunday, news agency IANS reported.
The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Ahmedabad Customs intercepted the 24-year-old man from Godhra in Gujarat's Panchmahal district after passenger profiling indicated the need for further examination.
The passenger had arrived in Ahmedabad from Jeddah via Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR-534 on Sunday. During examination, officials found 467.09 grams of gold paste concealed inside his body.
The recovered paste was subsequently processed and converted into a 24-carat gold bar weighing 422.83 grams. Customs authorities assessed its market value at Rs 65,69,087.
The gold bar was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested under the relevant provisions of the Act, while further investigation is underway.
The seizure comes amid a series of gold-smuggling cases involving unusual concealment methods at Ahmedabad airport.
On July 29, Customs officials intercepted a woman arriving from Dubai and recovered 244.16 grams of 24-carat gold valued at Rs 35.84 lakh, which had allegedly been concealed internally in paste form, according to reports.
(With ANI and IANS inputs)
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