Woman Hides ₹83 Lakh Worth Gold in Private Area, Airport Officials Stunned; How She Was Caught
Woman Hides ₹83 Lakh Worth Gold in Private Area, Airport Officials Stunned; How She Was Caught ( Representative Image )
Customs officials recover over 550 grams of 24-carat gold concealed in capsules; probe underway
A woman arriving from Kuala Lumpur has been arrested at Ahmedabad airport for allegedly smuggling gold worth over ₹83 lakh by concealing it inside her body, officials said.
The incident took place at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted the passenger based on specific intelligence inputs.
How The Smuggling Was Detected
Officials stopped the woman while she was attempting to exit through the green channel. During questioning, her responses raised suspicion, prompting a detailed examination.
Upon further inspection, authorities recovered two oval-shaped capsules wrapped in black tape that had been concealed inside her private body parts.
Gold Extracted After Processing
The capsules contained a liquid chemical paste mixed with gold. The total seized material weighed around 643 grams.
After a purification process carried out in the presence of experts, approximately 553 grams of 24-carat gold with 999 purity was extracted.
Value And Legal Action
The recovered gold has been valued at around ₹83.29 lakh, with a duty implication of over ₹75 lakh.
Officials said the woman attempted to evade customs duty by not declaring the gold. The seized material has been confiscated, and she has been arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are now investigating whether the case is linked to a larger smuggling network operating internationally.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by enforcement agencies in tackling sophisticated methods of gold smuggling at airports.
