Man held at Delhi airport for smuggling 1 kg gold by hiding it in his rectum

A man was arrested at Delhi airport by customs officials for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country about one kilogram gold by hiding it in his rectum.

The accused was intercepted on his arrival from Bangkok on Wednesday.

“A detailed personal and baggage search of the passenger resulted in the recovery of 998 grams of gold, equivalent to Rs 31.04 lakh, which the passenger had concealed inside his rectum,” a statement issued on Thursday by the customs department said.

During questioning, the passenger admitted that he had smuggled three kilograms gold valued at approximately Rs 93.32 lakh during his past visits, it said.

“Thus, the passengers has been involved in illegal clearance of gold collectively weighing 3.9 kg, valued at approximately Rs 1.2 crore,” the customs department said, adding the accused has been arrested and the gold seized.

Gold smugglers are increasingly opting for newer techniques to dodge customs authorities.

In January, from Dubai wearing a 700-gram gold chain and 233-gram bracelet on Saturday. He was also carrying 116-gram gold biscuit and 10-gram gold coin in his wallet. In all, the gold was worth ₹30 lakh.

But he made one mistake. He displayed too much nervousness while crossing the green channel after the Dubai flight landed at the Chandigarh airport . He was caught at the baggage area.

A customs official said they keep vigil on all international passengers, and those landing from Dubai are their prime focus as it has become a favourite source of gold smuggling ever since the flight began in September 2016.

In April, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) while trying to smuggle gold dust worth Rs35 lakh.

The accused – Jamsiya Karalil and her husband, Siddeeque Mundodan – are Indian nationals and had flown in from Dubai.

Based on intelligence received by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), the duo was intercepted and screened. The gold dust was carried by Karalil on her person, AIU said.

“The gold dust was cleverly concealed in two plastic packets, which were placed between two layers of crepe bandage wrapped around the waist of the passenger,” said V. Rama Mathew, commissioner of customs, CSIA. Authorities have seized 1,254 grams worth of gold dust.

(with PTI inputs)