Ahmedabad: A woman arriving from Kuala Lumpur has been arrested at Ahmedabad airport for allegedly smuggling gold valued at ₹83.29 lakh, officials said.

The Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport intercepted the passenger based on specific intelligence inputs and profiling. She was stopped while attempting to exit through the green channel, and her responses during questioning were found unsatisfactory, leading to a detailed examination.

During the check, officials recovered two oval-shaped capsules wrapped in black tape from her private parts. The capsules were found to contain a liquid chemical paste mixed with gold.

The seized material weighed 643.28 grams. After undergoing a purification process in the presence of experts, 553.07 grams of 24-carat gold with 999 purity was extracted.

The value of the recovered gold is estimated at ₹83,29,234, with a duty implication of ₹75,58,393.

Officials said the passenger tried to evade customs duty by concealing the gold and failing to declare it. The gold has been confiscated, and the woman has been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Further investigation is in progress to ascertain possible links to an international smuggling network. DeshGujarat