Gold worth 2.7cr hidden in waistbands seized at A’bad airport, two held

Ahmedabad: Two passengers smuggling gold were apprehended by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department on Sunday. The duo was found in possession of 3kg of gold with a market value of Rs 2.76 crore.
Based on intelligence inputs, the two passengers were intercepted and apprehended after they got off the flight from Abu Dhabi. "Both passengers were carrying gold in a plastic strip inside the waistbands of their jeans. The gold was in the form of a semi-solid substance mixed with chemicals. In addition, the passengers were carrying two gold chains and one gold coin," according to a release by the agency. The confiscated goods also included three 24-carat gold bars. The two passengers were arrested after they were found in possession of about 1.5kg of gold each.
Sources said that increased vigilance on the usual gold smuggling route, combined with operations against smuggling networks, have resulted in increased gold seizures in recent months. Sunday's detection is the latest among the series of busts that have had officials seizing gold concealed in equipment, body cavities and in paste form.
"The smuggling cycles are often associated with the fluctuation in gold prices. When the yellow metal gets pricier here, the illegal activity intensifies due to a higher margin of profit," an official said.
Sources added that the carriers hired are often without any criminal record so that they do not draw any suspicion. They are often promised lucrative rewards to hand over the smuggled goods to a point person once they get out of the airport. The officials said they are studying the different modus operandi employed in order to detect such cases.