Ahmedabad customs recover smuggled gold worth over Rs 4 crore from flight arriving from Dubai

Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad seized 24 foreign-origin gold biscuits weighing 2,799.3 grams and valued at Rs 4.26 crore after they were found concealed inside an IndiGo aircraft that had arrived from Dubai, IANS reported.

The seizure was made during rummaging operations conducted on IndiGo flight 6E-1478 following its arrival from Dubai, officials said on Friday, as per IANS report.

Gold recovered from lavatory concealment

With the assistance of aircraft engineers, Customs officers carried out a detailed search of the aircraft and recovered two pouches wrapped in black plastic tape from a speaker box located in the front lavatory.


Upon examination, the pouches were found to contain 24 gold biscuits of 999.0 purity, equivalent to 24 carat gold, with a combined weight of 2,799.3 grams. Officials said the seized gold has a domestic market value of ₹4,26,89,325.

Smuggling attempt suspected

According to Customs authorities who spoke to IANS, the method used to conceal the gold indicated an attempt to smuggle it into India in violation of the Customs Act, 1962.

Officials told IANS that the contraband appeared to have been hidden by an unidentified individual. As no person came forward to claim ownership of the recovered gold, it was seized as unclaimed under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act.

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Investigation underway

Customs officials said further investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the smuggling attempt and to determine whether the case is linked to a wider network operating on Gulf routes.

Part of a series of seizures

The latest recovery adds to a series of gold smuggling cases detected at Ahmedabad airport.

In February this year, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Dubai and recovered 601.9 grams of 24-carat gold valued at ₹96.06 lakh, including gold allegedly concealed in paste form inside his underwear.

In a separate case reported the same month, officials apprehended four women passengers arriving from Jeddah and seized 945.57 grams of 24-carat gold jewellery valued at ₹1.52 crore. The jewellery, comprising rhodium-coated chains and bangles, was allegedly concealed to avoid detection.

Authorities noted that Ahmedabad airport has witnessed a steady stream of gold smuggling attempts in recent years.