New Delhi, April 8, 2025: In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, Customs officials at IGI Airport, New Delhi, apprehended an Indian passenger arriving from Kochi with over 1.1 kilograms of gold paste concealed in his baggage.
The passenger landed in Delhi on IndiGo Flight 6E-2706 and disembarked at Domestic Terminal T-2. Acting on specific intelligence, officials intercepted the suspect and transferred him to the Office of Preventive Customs (Shift) at the International Arrival Hall of Terminal-3 for further examination.
A thorough personal search and baggage inspection led to the recovery of six pouches, four blue and two green, containing gold in paste form. The concealed material was tested and confirmed to be gold of foreign origin, weighing 1,105 grams. The tariff value of the seized gold is estimated at Rs 94.16 lakh.
The passenger, during preliminary interrogation, admitted to possessing, carrying and attempting to smuggle the gold. He has been taken into custody under Section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962, and the gold has been seized under Section 110 of the same Act. Authorities have confirmed that a detailed investigation is currently underway.
BI Bureau
