Customs Department Uncovers 473 gm Gold Smuggling at IGIA
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Synopsis
On April 7, the Customs department in New Delhi thwarted a gold smuggling operation at IGIA, seizing 473 grams of gold cleverly hidden in a trolley bag's wheels. The smuggler was caught after officials received an intelligence tip-off, leading to a detailed search and recovery of the valuable metal.
Key Takeaways
- Customs seized 473 grams of gold at IGIA.
- The gold was ingeniously concealed in trolley bag wheels.
- The smuggler was traveling from Kolkata to Delhi.
- Intelligence input led to the successful interception.
- Customs officials are investigating the intended recipient.
New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) The Customs department on Monday dismantled a carefully orchestrated scheme to smuggle approximately half a kilogram of gold into Delhi through Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Authorities apprehended the smuggler after acting on specific intelligence and recovered gold valued in lakhs.
Customs officials seized about 473 grams of gold, but the ingenious method employed for smuggling has astonished many. The precious metal was concealed within several small rods and cleverly placed inside the wheels of a trolley bag to evade detection.
The suspect, traveling from Kolkata to Delhi, attempted to bring the gold into the capital by hiding it within the wheels and stakes of his trolley bag. He was on Flight No 6E-5198 and was intercepted on the domestic side of Terminal 3 at IGIA.
After receiving a tip-off, Customs officials became suspicious of the passenger's behavior at the airport, leading to a thorough check of his baggage.
The department also shared the smuggler's tactics on social media. “A comprehensive personal search and baggage inspection led to the discovery of eight mercury-coated hollow rods, two mercury-coated rings, and one mercury-coated rod, cleverly hidden within the wheels and hollow metallic rod of a trolley bag,” stated the Customs department in a post on X.
“The total weight of the seized items is 488 grams. After melting, 473 grams of gold was recovered,” it further added.
Customs officials are interrogating the suspect and conducting an extensive investigation to identify the recipient in the national capital who was set to receive the smuggled gold.
In a separate incident just days ago, Customs officials seized 282 grams of gold from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. Suspicious images appeared during baggage scans, prompting further inspection.
“A thorough examination of the luggage led to the discovery of two pouches filled with yellow-colored chemical paste,” the department reported.
