Ahmedabad, October 9 (Daily Kiran) : Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad apprehended a 43-year-old man on October 9 after he arrived from Dubai. The individual was found concealing gold bars valued at approximately ₹89 lakh in the pocket of his pants.
The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs intercepted the passenger based on profiling information. He had flown in on Flydubai flight FZ-437. During the inspection, officials discovered five gold bars with a purity of 999.0, equivalent to 24-carat gold, hidden in the man’s clothing.
The total weight of the seized gold was 582.700 grams, with a market value of ₹88,97,829. Customs officials confiscated the gold under the provisions of the Customs Act of 1962 and arrested the suspect. Investigations into the case are ongoing, adding to a series of gold seizures from international travelers at Ahmedabad Airport.
In a related incident on October 6, customs officials stopped a couple arriving from Kuwait on Kuwait Airways flight KU-347 and seized 308.710 grams of 24-carat gold jewelry, valued at nearly ₹46.99 lakh. The jewelry, including bangles, chains, and anklets, was hidden on their bodies.
Earlier this year, in July, two male passengers from Maharashtra were caught at Ahmedabad Airport for concealing gold paste in their shirt collars after arriving from Dubai. Customs processed the seized goods, converting them into 24-carat gold bars weighing 129.18 grams, valued at ₹19.48 lakh.
Another case in February involved a passenger from Abu Dhabi who ingested gold capsules prior to arrival. Medical examinations revealed 135 grams of 24-carat gold, worth ₹21.9 lakh.
Customs officials are continuing their investigations into these smuggling attempts under the Customs Act of 1962, aiming to uncover the circumstances surrounding these illicit activities.
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