900g gold worth ₹1.35 crore seized at Kolkata airport, 2 arrested
Synopsis
Two passengers arriving from Bangkok were arrested at Kolkata's NSCBI Airport after 900 grams of 24-carat gold worth ₹1.35 crore was recovered — the second major precious-metal seizure at the same airport in under two weeks, raising serious questions about an organised inter-state smuggling network operating through the city's international gateway.
Key Takeaways
900 grams of gold worth approximately ₹1.35 crore was seized at NSCBI Airport, Kolkata on 17 August .
Two passengers arriving from Bangkok were arrested; interrogation is underway at the NSCBI Airport police station.
The gold is believed to be 24-carat purity, according to an initial police assessment.
Police suspect an inter-state gold smuggling ring is behind the operation and are investigating further links.
A separate seizure on 6 August recovered gold and diamond jewellery worth ₹1 crore from a domestic cargo at the same airport.
Security and passenger surveillance at NSCBI Airport have been further tightened following the incident.
Police seized 900 grams of gold valued at approximately ₹1.35 crore from two passengers at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata on Monday, 17 August, following a tip-off from intelligence sources. The two suspects, who had arrived on a Bangkok-bound flight, were arrested and are currently being interrogated by officers of the NSCBI Airport police station.
How the Seizure Unfolded
According to police sources, investigators had received advance intelligence about the two passengers before their arrival. Surveillance was placed on them as they disembarked, and they were subsequently pulled aside for questioning on suspicion. During interrogation, the two individuals reportedly confessed to carrying gold. The recovered gold weighed 900 grams and is believed to be 24-carat purity, according to an initial police assessment, with a market value of around ₹1.35 crore.
Inter-State Smuggling Ring Suspected
Investigators suspect the seizure is linked to a broader inter-state gold smuggling network. Authorities are working to establish the gold's origin, its intended destination, and the identities of any other individuals involved in the operation. The scale and organisation of the alleged operation suggest it may not be an isolated incident, according to officials.
A Pattern of Seizures at NSCBI Airport
This is not the first such recovery at the airport in recent weeks. On 6 August, police recovered gold and diamond jewellery — including pieces set with ruby and emerald — worth ₹1 crore from a domestic cargo consignment at the same airport. One person was arrested in connection with that case. The back-to-back recoveries point to a sustained pattern of smuggling activity through Kolkata's international gateway.
Security Tightened at Kolkata Airport
Following the latest seizure, airport authorities have further tightened security protocols and increased surveillance on incoming passengers. Officials have not yet disclosed whether the two cases are connected, but the proximity in time and location has drawn investigators' attention to a possible common network.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to widen their probe as interrogation of the arrested individuals continues.
Point of View
And the use of passenger concealment rather than cargo suggests a network sophisticated enough to adapt. What is missing from the public record is any indication of whether Customs, CISF, and state police are coordinating their intelligence in real time, or whether these seizures are happening in operational silos. The inter-state angle, if confirmed, also raises the question of where the gold was headed — and who was waiting for it.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold was seized at Kolkata airport on 17 August?
Police recovered 900 grams of gold with an estimated market value of ₹1.35 crore from two passengers at NSCBI Airport, Kolkata, on 17 August. The gold is believed to be 24-carat purity, according to an initial police assessment.
Who was arrested in the Kolkata airport gold smuggling case?
Two passengers who arrived on a flight from Bangkok were arrested in connection with the seizure. Officers of the NSCBI Airport police station are currently interrogating them to establish further links.
Is an inter-state smuggling ring involved in the Kolkata airport gold case?
Police suspect an inter-state gold smuggling network is behind the incident. Investigators are working to determine the gold's origin, its intended destination, and whether additional individuals are involved.
Has gold been seized at NSCBI Airport before this incident?
Yes. On 6 August, police recovered gold and diamond jewellery — including ruby- and emerald-set pieces — worth ₹1 crore from a domestic cargo consignment at the same airport, and one person was arrested. The two cases are being examined for possible links.
What security measures have been taken after the gold seizure?
Airport authorities have further tightened security protocols and increased surveillance on passengers following the 17 August seizure. Officials have not specified the exact measures, but the steps are described as an immediate response to the incident.
