Customs Intercept Abu Dhabi Flight Passenger at Ahmedabad Airport, Seize Gold Hidden in Bag Frames
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Air Intelligence Unit officers at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport intercepted a passenger arriving from Abu Dhabi and seized 24-carat gold valued at ₹42.49 lakh disguised as trolley bag frame components.
Acting on specific intelligence, Customs officials stopped the incoming passenger on Thursday, October 15, and subjected three pieces of checked-in luggage to intensive physical examination.
Metal Strips Unscrewed to Reveal Concealed Precious Metal
During the search, officers noticed custom metal reinforcement strips fastened with screws inside the structural frame of each trolley bag.
Unscrewing the fittings revealed two hidden gold wires embedded within each strip. To evade border checks and X-ray scanners, the perpetrator had coated all six 24-carat gold wires with white rhodium, giving them the visual appearance of ordinary industrial steel fittings. The recovered metal weighed a total of 282.91 grams.
Investigation Underway Under Customs Act
Customs authorities impounded the entire consignment under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Investigators are currently interrogating the passenger to determine the local syndicate links, financial handlers, and intended recipients in Gujarat.
