Two Gold Smuggling Attempts Foiled at Ahmedabad Airport; Gold Worth Over ₹1.3 Crore Seized

Ahmedabad: Customs officials have foiled two separate gold smuggling attempts at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport, seizing gold worth over Rs 1.3 crore from passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In the first case, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs intercepted nine passengers and a tour operator after they arrived from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday based on specific intelligence.

Officials said the passengers were carrying 24-carat gold chains, pendants and beads weighing a total of 770.3 grams, valued at around Rs 1.1 crore, without declaring the jewellery or paying the applicable customs duty.

During questioning, the passengers told officials they had paid around Rs 35,000–40,000 for the Abu Dhabi tour package. The tour operator allegedly offered them a Rs 10,000 discount or refund if they agreed to wear and bring the gold back to India, assuring them they would face no problems.

Customs officials recorded the passengers’ statements and allowed them to leave after a preliminary investigation indicated they had no active role in the alleged smuggling attempt. The recovered gold was seized under the Customs Act, 1962, while the Mehsana-based tour operator was arrested.

Sources said the accused had previously been arrested in another gold smuggling case and had served a jail term. Officials added that this is the second such case involving the tour operator detected in the last six months.

In another case, AIU officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai after receiving specific intelligence. During a detailed search, officials found gold paste concealed inside the collars of their shirts.

The concealed paste was extracted and converted into 24-carat gold TT bars weighing 129.18 grams, valued at approximately Rs 19.5 lakh. The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act. DeshGujarat