Ahmedabad, August 24: Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport seized nearly half a kilogram of 24-carat gold from a 31-year-old woman from Bhavnagar. The gold, valued at over ₹83 lakhs, was discovered after she arrived from Sharjah on a flight operated by Air Arabia on August 23.
Upon her arrival, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs stopped the passenger based on profiling indicators. During the inspection, officials found that the woman had concealed a gold chain inside her high-neck sweater.
The chain weighed 499.540 grams and was identified as 24-carat gold. According to customs, the market value of this jewelry was ₹83,14,843. The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Following the seizure, the woman was arrested under the relevant sections of the Customs Act but was later released on bail. An investigation is ongoing.
This incident comes amid a rise in gold smuggling cases involving passengers arriving from Gulf countries at Ahmedabad Airport. On August 16, customs officials intercepted another female passenger arriving from Sharjah, recovering gold jewelry worth approximately ₹28.87 lakhs, weighing 219.43 grams. The items included chains, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, anklets, and earrings, all hidden in her purse and clothing.
In another recent case, on July 30, a woman arriving from Dubai was stopped by the AIU after profiling. Customs officials confiscated over 240 grams of 24-carat gold, including four bangles and a chain with a pendant, valued at around ₹35.5 lakhs. These items were also seized under the Customs Act.
Ahmedabad Customs has reported several significant recoveries this year. In February, officials seized 601.940 grams of 24-carat gold worth ₹96.06 lakhs from a passenger arriving from Dubai. This gold was hidden in various forms, including bars and as a paste inside the passenger’s underwear.
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