Ahmedabad: Customs officials at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have uncovered an unusual modus operandi in gold smuggling. The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs Department intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok who had concealed four gold capsules inside his mouth to evade customs inspection. Authorities seized 108.07 grams of 24-carat gold from the passenger, valued at approximately ₹17.39 lakh in the market.
According to the Customs Department, VietJet Air flight number VZ 750 from Bangkok landed at Ahmedabad Airport late night on January 31. AIU officers became suspicious based on prior intelligence inputs regarding suspected passengers and the individual’s behavior. When the passenger was detained for thorough questioning and examination, even the officials were taken aback by what they discovered.
During the inspection, it was revealed that the passenger had hidden four capsule-shaped gold pieces wrapped in black adhesive tape inside his mouth. The gold was found to be of 24-carat purity. The contraband has been confiscated under the Customs Act, 1962, and legal proceedings have been initiated against the passenger.
Officials stated that fearing detection at airport security and customs checkpoints, smugglers are now adopting risky methods of concealing gold in body parts. Hiding gold in the mouth in this manner can pose serious health risks. Currently, the passenger’s identity is being kept confidential while further interrogation is underway. Police and Customs authorities are investigating where the gold was sourced from and to whom it was intended to be delivered in Ahmedabad. An intensified probe is also being conducted to determine whether an international smuggling network is operating behind this incident.
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