Dubai passenger caught at Ahmedabad Airport with Rs 4.31 crore gold hidden in underwear

Ahmedabad: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) have busted a major gold smuggling racket at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the city, seizing smuggled gold worth Rs 4.31 crore and arresting a passenger who had arrived from Dubai.

The accused has been identified as Dilip Harkhabhai Piparia, a resident of Vegadvav village in Morbi district.

According to officials, the DRI had received specific intelligence that a passenger arriving from Dubai was attempting to smuggle contraband into India. Acting on the tip-off, DRI and AIU officers intercepted Piparia after he arrived on an IndiGo flight from Dubai and stopped him at the Green Channel of Terminal-2.

When questioned by Customs officials, the passenger denied carrying any dutiable or prohibited goods. An X-ray scan of his baggage and a physical frisking through the doorframe metal detector did not reveal anything suspicious.

However, officials noticed that the passenger appeared unusually nervous during questioning. On sustained interrogation, he allegedly confessed to concealing gold on his person.

Officials said Piparia voluntarily removed two specially modified undergarments he was wearing. Hidden inside secret cavities stitched into the garments were two packets containing gold paste weighing 3,263 grams.

The seized material was sent to a government-approved valuer’s laboratory on C.G. Road for melting and purification. The process yielded 2.91 kg (2,910 grams) of 24-carat gold, valued at approximately Rs 4.31 crore.

The DRI has arrested the accused, and further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the smuggling network and trace the intended recipients of the consignment. DeshGujarat