Ahmedabad airport records 130 cases of smuggling gold and drugs in just 10 months
Updated: Jan 25th, 2025
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad has created a record of sorts in gold smuggling if the seizures of the yellow metal and drugs in the past 1 year are anything to go by. The Customs Department seized 68 kilograms of gold, valued at ₹45 crore, in the 10 months between April 2024 and January 25, 2025. Over this period, 130 cases of gold and drug smuggling were recorded, averaging one case every two days.
The Customs department has arrested more than 25 persons involved in gold smuggling and drug trafficking. Notably, most cases were recorded in the past two months.
In December and January, the department uncovered instances of gold being smuggled in forms such as gold paste and capsules. Additionally, two passengers arriving from Thailand were found carrying drugs hidden inside food packets, valued at ₹20 crore in the international market.
The department also apprehended three passengers involved in the trafficking of narcotics, seizing 7.5 kilograms of drugs. These cases were handled under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.
Furthermore, foreign parcels arriving at the Customs Foreign Post Office are also being scrutinised, with a previous case revealing hybrid marijuana in one such parcel.
Cases of gold and drug smuggling in past 2 months
January 21: Drugs worth ₹7 crore were seized at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport from a passenger who arrived from Bangkok.
January 16: Customs officials at the international airport seized hydroponic weed from a female passenger and confiscated gold from another individual.
December 17: Another incident of drug smuggling was uncovered at the International Airport, where drugs worth ₹15 crore were seized. Over just two days, two consignments of drugs were confiscated from the airport.
December 20: Adding to the series of smuggling attempts, Customs officials seized watches worth ₹13.80 crore from a couple arriving from Abu Dhabi.
To strengthen its operations, the Customs department is training police sniffer dogs specifically for narcotics detection. The department has also intensified surveillance at the domestic airport after significant recent incidents.
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